Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) – Tucson

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Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) – Tucson

Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) is a premier U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facility offering accredited nurse residency and clinical training programs for new graduate nurses and nurse practitioners committed to serving America’s Veterans.

About Southern Arizona VA Health Care System Nursing Programs

SAVAHCS does not offer pre-licensure nursing degrees (e.g., ADN or BSN). Instead, it provides **CCNE-accredited post-graduate residency and clinical training programs** for licensed or soon-to-be-licensed nurses. These programs are designed to support the transition from student to professional practice within the VA healthcare system.

  • Location: Tucson, Arizona (3601 S. 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85723)
  • Mission: To develop competent, confident, practice-ready nurses equipped to address the unique needs of Veterans through evidence-based, veteran-centric care.
  • Accreditation: The Post-Baccalaureate RN Residency (PB-RNR) and RN Transition to Practice (RNTTP) programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
  • Website: www.va.gov/southern-arizona-health-care

Key Programs Offered

1. Post-Baccalaureate RN Residency (PB-RNR)

A 12-month, full-time residency for new BSN graduates with no prior RN work experience. Features 80% hands-on clinical immersion and 20% didactic training in medical-surgical, ICU, ER, mental health, and outpatient settings.

  • For: New graduate BSN-prepared RNs
  • Accreditation: CCNE-accredited
  • Benefits: Stipend, health insurance, paid leave, protected training time (no weekends/nights)

2. RN Transition to Practice (RNTTP)

A residency pathway for new ADN-prepared RNs transitioning into VA practice, with structured mentorship and clinical support.

  • For: New graduate ADN-prepared RNs
  • Accreditation: CCNE-accredited

3. Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency (PC-NPR)

A 1-year residency for new FNP/AGNP graduates, featuring rotations in primary care, women’s health, mental health, dermatology, and more.

  • For: Board-certified new graduate NPs
  • Eligibility: Graduation from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited NP program

4. VA-STEP (Student Trainee Experience Program)

A 10-week summer externship for final-year BSN students from CCNE-accredited programs, offering hands-on clinical experience with Veterans.

  • For: BSN students in their final semester
  • Eligibility: Enrollment in a CCNE-accredited BSN program
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SAVAHCS is not a degree-granting school but a top-tier clinical training site for nurses committed to serving Veterans. All residency programs are competitive, require U.S. citizenship, and lead to potential VA employment upon completion.

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