12gage

I am going to NP school in California. It takes months to get an NP license here. One approach I've heard of (I work for the VA and can be licensed in any state) is to apply for a more expedient license while waiting for my CA license to be granted. I don't know if the licensing process is different for PMHNPs (I don't think so). What states are quickest and cheapest (most importantly quickest) to get a license in? Thanks! Gage

I'm pretty preoccupied with the idea of pursuing a VA residency after I finish school next Spring. Another question I have is whether I will keep accruing my VA time seamlessly if I am chosen for a residency. I work in the ER at the VA. Are the residency positions different as far as benefits are concerned because they are one year temporary positions or whatever? Does this mean I wouldn't be keeping my service computation date, sick leave, etc., and contributing to my retirement during my residency? Am I making sense? Any VA employees have experience with working for the VA then accepting a residency position and then continuing service after? Thanks.

Hi all, So I've written before about the fact that I'm very interested in pursuing a residency program when I finish my PMHNP degree so that I feel more confident and prepared to care for my patients. I've noticed these three residency programs in or around Cleveland. Being a great lakes girl, myself, and someone who is impressed by the medical community in Cleveland, I'm curious whether any of you have any experience with any of these programs? Thanks, Gage

Thank you so much for this detailed reply. I’ve been with the VA since 2013 and really like working with veterans. I did notice that many of the applications are similar, but they do ask for letters of recommendation from the sender. I guess I could just work around that by sending them myself or something. I would just hate to ask for someone to send out a dozen letters for me. Again, thank you for your time and a safe and peaceful holiday. Gage

Yeah. Thanks for the response. That's what I was thinking. It's probably the same with the residency programs through universities. And while I'm not sure that all the VA programs are affiliated with a school, I'm sure they are looking for candidates who are committed to serving the geographical area where the program is. Even if I were to give them a verbal commitment that I would stick around for awhile after the completion of the program, I'm not sure that would be very helpful. My foremost concern is preparedness and competence. I want to provide excellent care. I graduate May 2022. While I do have a verbal offer at a VA hospital in a small very nice town, I don't think I'll have much guidance there. It's great to keep my VA benefits and have the support of a large organization, but I'm concerned that I will not be serving my patients well until I have more preceptorship. I appreciate your input. Cheers!

I am currently a nurse at the VA in San Diego. I'm In PMHNP school. I would absolutely love to be accepted into a residency program through any VA that would offer me a position. Unfortunately, the application process isn't streamlined. Each application has to be submitted separately. Do any of you have experience applying to the VA programs? How competitive these programs, and what the program directors are looking for? I would absolutely apply to each and every one until I got the chance to get the experience, but I don't know how practical that is. Thanks! Gage

I am currently a nurse at the VA in San Diego. I'm In PMHNP school. I would absolutely love to be accepted into a residency program through any VA that would offer me a position. Unfortunately, the application process isn't streamlined. Each application has to be submitted separately. Do you have any idea as to how competitive these programs are and what the program directors are looking for?