United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Portland VA Medical Center

Education - Veterans Affairs Learning Opportunity Residency

 

PURPOSE: To provide a nursing residency for distinguished honor students interested in a nursing career at the Portland VA Medical Center.

Program Description: The Nursing Veterans Affairs Learning Opportunity Residency (VALOR) Scholarship Program is designed for outstanding students who have completed the final semester of the junior year in a National League for Nursing (NLN) or commission of Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited baccalaureate program. VALOR students develop clinical competencies in a nursing specialty area, under the guidance of VA registered nurse preceptors. Examples of specialty areas include: Critical Care and acute medical/surgical. The learning opportunities in these specialty areas will be enhanced by structured clinical experiences including competency-based clinical practice, participation in interdisciplinary clinical conferences, and clinical courses.

Length of Program: The program is one year in length, with a minimum of 400 consecutive hours worked during the summer months. During the senior academic year, an additional 400 hours may be worked. VALOR students will be converted to an intermittent status and will continue to function in the area of assignment. Work schedules will be coordinated with the program director and the nurse manager of the area.

Residency Benefit: Students will be paid at a rate equal to 80% of the salary rate for an Entry Grade Nurse, and will earn vacation time during their full time work status. In addition time worked as a VALOR student will be creditable federal service for future career options.

Eligibility: The student must:

  • Be a U. S. citizen and meet physical examination standards at the time of entry into the Nursing VALOR Scholarship Program.
     
  • Have a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, with no grade lower than a B in any nursing course.
     
  • Be able to complete the minimum of 400 consecutive hours (10 weeks) as a Nursing VALOR student during the summer months.
     
  • Complete the application process.
     
  • Students selected must have completed the final semester or quarter of the junior year in accredited BSN program.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Last business day in March each year.

Portland VA Medical Center
VALOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
APPLICATION PROCESS

Student interested should complete and submit to the Education division the following:

    1.      Resume, with a cover letter indicating your priority areas for employment, dates you are available for interview and current transcript.

    2.      Letter of recommendation from your dean.

    3.     Federal employment forms: OF-612 and Declaration for Federal Appointment.

    Your documents will be reviewed by a panel of selected Nurse Managers from the facility. If you are identified as a candidate you will be contacted for an interview. Selection will be finalized before the end of May each year.