Veterans Affairs Nursing Academic Partnership

The Providence Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System (HCS) and RIC's Zvart Onanian School of Nursing formalized a partnership in 2008. Stemming from a desire to address a nursing shortage, it developed into a comprehensive program to transform nursing education and practice.

About the Providence VA Healthcare System 

The Providence VA HCS is a 73-bed facility that provides tertiary medical, surgical and psychiatric care and a full range of outpatient services. Its mission is to honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional healthcare that improves their health and wellbeing. The organization’s vision is to continue to be the benchmark of excellence and value in healthcare and benefits by providing exemplary services that are both veteran-centered and evidence-based.

Origins of the Partnership

Inspired to develop a strong academic practice model, nursing leaders of the Providence VA HCS and the Zvart Onanian School of Nursing formalized the VA Nursing Academic Partnership (VNAP) to address the serious shortage of registered nurses and nurse educators in 2008. The partnership has developed into a comprehensive program aimed at supporting our veterans while transforming nursing education and practice.

A Mutual Mission

The partnership, whose members include nursing leaders, faculty, staff, and students, is founded on a profound shared mission: 

"To serve vulnerable populations, promote nursing excellence, and provide high quality health care."  

And this mission is embedded in the undergraduate VANAP courses offered.

Undergraduate VANAP Courses

Providence VA HCS (Fall & Spring) 

• NURS 340 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (Clinical) 
• NURS 370 – Public and Community Health Nursing (Clinical) 
• NURS 375- Transition to Professional Nursing (Clinical)

Bristol RI Veterans Home

•  NURS 223 – Fundamentals of Nursing Practice (Clinical)

Graduate nursing courses are available by arrangement.

Interested? Reach Out to Our Undergraduate Contact

Sheri Boucher, DNP, MSN, RN     
Assistant Professor and VANAP Program Director     
Rhode Island College

PBRN-R Program VANAP Courses

The PBRN-R Program is a program designed to provide the knowledge, skills, and guidance to BSN graduates in their first RN role. The PBRN-R program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and has been since 2016.

PBRN-R Mission and Goals

The Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency program aims to support the transition of the entry-level, advanced beginner nurse to a competent, confident professional nurse who provides safe, high quality care for our nation’s Veterans. The goals for new graduates upon completion of the program are:

• successful transition to competent nurse
• competency in effective decision-making skills related to clinical judgment and performance
• competency in clinical leadership at the point of care
• strong commitment to nursing as a career choice
• incorporation of research-based evidence into professional practice
• formulation of an individual career development plan

Interested? Reach Out to Our PBRN-R Contact

Jill Lizotte, MSN, RN, NDP-BC     
PBRN-R Program Coordinator    
Providence VA HCS

Contact Jill Lizotte before March 1 for an application.