VA HPSP 2020 - Scholarship Award Updates?

NP_hopeful19 · Jul 12, 2020

9 hours ago, stormp757 said:
I also recieved an alternate status on July 8th. Does anyone know how many people were actually accepted? And, how many alternates there are? Seems like there is alot of alternates. I am wondering if I'm alternate number 355 at this point! Praying for this opportunity!

I haven't seen any NP selections thus far, only alternates. Wondering if it's due to the committee meeting so late in the cycle. Did your alternate notification also mention the October 1st date? I think they are waiting for funds from the new fiscal year to make additional selections. But I think alternate status at this point is promising!

stormp757 · Jul 12, 2020

Hello,

Yes, the email did mention something about scholarships from now until October 1st. I figured they may offer more Pmhnp scholarships next year. Covid has caused alot of anxiety and depression in people. Did you notice the job status changed to canceled on USA jobs? I wonder if that is normal.

MelissaM1378, MSN · Jul 12, 2020

Hi, yes, they most likely did that so they can just select from the “alternates” without allowing anyone else to apply. Unfortunately, we must sit and wait until October but I think we have an excellent chance at being selected based on past candidates’ shared experiences.

2011MSN · Jul 13, 2020

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.

2011MSN · Jul 13, 2020

1 hour ago, 2011MSN said:
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.

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."

stormp757 · Jul 14, 2020

It's OK. I appreciate your response! There is not much information on the web that focuses on the VA HPSP specifically in PMHNP aspect. I didn't realize there were 18 sites to choose from. I thought there was only six to choose from. That's promising! Do you know how they determine who gets the first choice? Were you an alternate? Indeed, clinicals have been a challenge for everyone due to Covid. This semester, we are now able to complete telehealth for hours. I am sure it has to be frustrating not knowing where your going to be yet. When do you graduate? I'm really hoping I get a slot. I don't know how they select alternates but at least I am in the running! Good luck. If you find anything else out, please share. I am sure you have answered alot of questions for people with this one thread! Thank you!

2011MSN · Jul 14, 2020

9 hours ago, stormp757 said:
It's OK. I appreciate your response! There is not much information on the web that focuses on the VA HPSP specifically in PMHNP aspect. I didn't realize there were 18 sites to choose from. I thought there was only six to choose from. That's promising! Do you know how they determine who gets the first choice? Were you an alternate? Indeed, clinicals have been a challenge for everyone due to Covid. This semester, we are now able to complete telehealth for hours. I am sure it has to be frustrating not knowing where your going to be yet. When do you graduate? I'm really hoping I get a slot. I don't know how they select alternates but at least I am in the running! Good luck. If you find anything else out, please share. I am sure you have answered alot of questions for people with this one thread! Thank you!

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.

NP_hopeful19 · Jul 28, 2020

Did anyone just get an email from the HPSP scholarship contact with an invitation for a webex meeting?? There isn't any other information provided in the email

stormp757 · Jul 28, 2020

I did. I don't know what that's about. I did open it. It says town Hall meeting August 6th from 2 to 3. If you find out anything else, please share.

NP_hopeful19 · Jul 28, 2020

Just received the official selection email!! Congratulations guys! ? So excited for this opportunity!

stormp757 · Jul 28, 2020

If you got the town hall meeting email you "TENTATIVELY" got the scholarship! CONGRATS!!

MelissaM1378, MSN · Jul 29, 2020

Congratulations! We made it!