2011MSN

Sure, so at the one year mark in school we got a list of cities that possibly would be taking HPSP recipients, I think there were 12 or so. From that we selected the top 5 that we would prefer. Then this year we got the updated list, which was just 6 choices (locations) and we selected our ranking by preference. Then the scholarships folks decide and they place you. It is not guaranteed your first choice is what you get, but they do try. There are lots of other residencies available in different cities for the VA, but we are not allowed to apply to those, I know as I asked. They have specific in-need areas, not necessarily small cities as Boston is one of them. You don't interview, you are automatically added to their residency program. The programs start anywhere from June to August. You will be with other residents who applied through the VA website the regular way. Definitely apply for the scholarship, residency for NP are rare and at a great quality such as what the VA offers. My classmates are realizing this and a lot will be starting with no residency, so I feel very grateful and honored to be part of this program. It's a great deal.

I am just finishing school under this program, if you all have questions. @DanniLynn, there are HPSP programs in active duty military (not reserves), but these are separate. They follow a similar format, but have no attachment to the VA one as the person said above. I am a reservist also, I would say being a veteran had more clout, than reserves, but it is all looked at. Also you may know this, but you will have to be a full time student if you receive this award. There is no part-time unless you work for the VA already.

I agree with the above, alzheimers/dementia patients are in memory care/SNFs and such, but not mental health facilities. As a psych RN for 5 years I do not work with these types of patients. You need to experience the acutely sick, Bipolar, Schizo, borderline, etc., just an idea

Same with the VA HPSP (they have the same program) just for Mental Health NPs

Common trend of management to break up the central nurses station, lessens opportunities for us to gather and think as a group....you see this same thing in newly built hospitals where they have "pods" and no central nursing station, you can go entire shifts without seeing 90% of the other nurses on your shift...true or not, just my thought

I stand corrected as of right now there are 14 VAs with residency programs, but more facilities may be starting a residency program. You can call a VA if it isn't listed and see. Additionally, you have to do a residency year now, you cannot get a job at a VA lets say in your city and not do a residency. We were the last group with that option. Residency is a no brainer for me though. The VA is literally the only one that has one it seems like. The cities are Albuquerque, Birmingham, Boston, Charleston, Cleveland, Durham, Gainesville, Indianapolis, K.C. (MO), Miami, Sacramento/Martinez, Salt Lake City, San Fran, West Haven. I graduate in 2021, yeah the thing for sure is if you accept the scholarship, expect to move. They make that very clear in the contract. Also there is no moving re-reimbursement. I can't answer the alternate question on how they select, but I was an alternate and picked up in the third round of selections. I do not know how many rounds there are though to be honest. Its no problem on the questions, there really wasn't a lot of info when I looked, so just trying to bridge the gap for others.

You know I was answering this comment, but I think it got emailed to me from before, so sorry if its a repeat answer...here is the original for reference: "Hello and congratulations on the Scholarship! How are the rotations? Are they all at the same VA hospital for the 12 months? Do you by any chance know if you get to pick your location for training or they pick it for you? I got an alternate status this month. So, I am not sure if I will even get a chance to pick my location if I do get selected. TIA."

During school you will do your clinicals like normal. I live in a very large military city, so I was able to get an NP at the VA, but it is not a requirement while you are in school. After school you attend a 12 month VA residency, this is where you will complete rotations to different mental health areas within the VA. You get to choose and rank 5 cities where you would like to do this residency. This is not available at all VAs, only the ones that participate in the program. I want to say there was about 18 cities. For example I wanted to go to the Northwest, but there are none available. So I choose Durham N.C., Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, Charleston S.C. and Boston. You will get this list towards the end of the year you start school. Other than that I haven't heard back yet. I heard maybe towards the end of this year you find I will find out my placement. I don't know if this involves an interview with the facility, it wouldn't surprise me. I also heard that the start date for me for example might be Sept, Oct due to COVID. Clinicals has been challenging for my fellow students. The school has to rotate things around, unless you clinical facility does tele-health, you will be making up the hours later. The VA is accommodating to this bu extending the start dates, so students have time to complete their hours next Summer.

I received alternate status mid June and received selection email July 30th...I'm not sure about the funding October thing, that may be a thing. The other blog I was on I did not see any notifications of people receiving it in October, but maybe that is a possibility

Just a FYI, I was an alternate last year and literally did not hear that I got it until the end of July. So hang tight!

Any chance you would have time to switch from PT to FT? Scott is great and he will let you know what you would need to do. Easier said than done, I know. That is what I had to do also. FT can be manageable if you are on shift work and your job is flexible a little.

I am currently on this scholarship since last year, if you have any questions let me know ? Best of luck

If you live in San Diego, look at USD MEPN program, sign up for one of their information seminars. This program is for people just like you (and me), non-medical degrees who want to become a nurse. I start in August, I had a 3.3 undergraduate GPA, so I was right there with you. It is expensive, but worth the cost to me to finish and get my MSN in 2 years...versus the cost of something like ADN to BSN to MSN...and the school overall is excellent. Also with many other programs in San Diego, there are long waiting periods, versus this program. Plus you probably have all your pre-reqs done as is. If you have any questions, let me know Thanks!