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Nursing Externships

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Nursing Externships
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The Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center offers externships for nursing students. Sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply for the Student Nurse Technician program. Juniors may apply for the VA-Student Trainee opportunities that commence the summer after junior year and extend until graduation.
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Are you interested in a tuition scholarship, a monthly stipend, and a book stipend payment? Apply for the VA Health Profession Scholarship Program (HPSP)! In return for the support, VA will require a two-year service obligation in a full-time RN position after graduation, licensure, and residency completion. For more information, click here.

Click here for more information on VA scholarship programs

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Student Nurse Technician (SNT)- attention sophomores

Student Nurse Technicians serve as a first step to gain employment with the VA after graduation and licensure.

Program Description

Student Nurse Technicians learn to develop understanding, confidence and competencies in the care of our nation’s Veterans. When functioning independently, the SNT role is like that of a nursing assistant. An SNT may perform certain nursing skills initially performed in school with a clinical instructor, under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse.

Work Schedule

Participants must be able to work full time over the summer, and the schedule may be for first-, second- or third-shift tours of duty. SNTs are eligible for shift, weekend and holiday pay. SNTs may continue on as intermittent employees during the school year until graduation or successful transition to VA-STEP program. 

Work areas

SNT opportunities are available in the following areas:

  • Emergency Department
  • Intensive Care Unit
  • 3C (Mental Health)
  • 4C (Hematology/Oncology)
  • 5C (Cardiac)
  • 6CS (Progressive Care Unit)
  • 6CN (Medical/Surgical)
  • 7C (Surgical)
  • 9A (Community Living Center)
  • 9CN (Palliative), 9CS (Nursing Home)
  • 9CS (Community Living Center)
  • Spinal Cord Injury Center (SCI)
  • GI Lab
  • APC/PACU
  • Operating Room
Eligibility Requirements
  • U.S. citizens by birth or naturalization (U.S. Veterans are considered first among all equally qualified candidates).
  • Current nursing students at the sophomore or junior level from a nationally accredited school.
  • Willing to undergo a background/suitability investigation.
  • Interested in Veteran-centric health care and desires employment at a VA medical center after graduation.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
  • Currently in good academic standing (as defined by the school the student is attending) leading to graduation and NCLEX certification.
Application

If you meet eligibility requirements, please submit the following:

Submit to vhamiwvastepmke@va.gov

Program Contact

Kristine Robbins, SNT Program Administrative Lead

Michelle Matheny MSN, RN, Program Manager

Email: vhamiwvastepmke@va.gov

Office 414-384-2000, ext. 46895

Facility Spotlight
  • 196 Acute beds (ICU and Progressive Care, Cardiology, Medical-Oncology, Medical-Surgical, Mental Health)
  • 113 Community Living Center beds (Palliative/Hospice, Geriatric Evaluation, Rehabilitation, Long-term care, Community Homes)
  • 150 Domiciliary beds (Substance Abuse Rehabilitation, Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
  • 38 Spinal Cord Injury beds
  • 30,521 ED Visits (FY 2022)
  • 7,985 Inpatient Admissions (FY 2022)
  • 796,784 Outpatient visits (FY 2022)

Shared Governance Councils support the Relationship-Based Care (RBC) Nursing Practice Model, which is a foundation for our nursing philosophy of care: to achieve excellence in health care through the caring relationship between the Veteran and professional nurse in a healing environment. Councils reporting to the Nurse Executive Council:

  • Nursing Practice
  • Professional Development
  • Evidence-Based Practice, Quality Improvement and Research
  • Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Nurse Residency

Many of our SNT employees apply for VA-STEP when they are juniors going into their senior year. Learn more below.

Additionally, upon approaching graduation many student employees apply for the Nurse Residency Program, which is another excellent program offered by the VA. Learn more here.

VA-Student Trainee Experience Program (VA-STEP)- attention juniors

The Clement J. Zabloki VA -Student Trainee Experience Program (VA-STEP) was designed for outstanding Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students who are about to enter their senior year.  This competitive program assists BSN students to develop both clinical competence and  competence in Veteran-centric care in a variety of settings.

Under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, VA-STEPs refine clinical reasoning skills, psychomotor skills, knowledge of pathophysiology and pharmacology, and application of nursing theories and frameworks.

Program description

VA-STEPs earn 80% of a starting RN salary while developing understanding, confidence and competence in the care of our nation's Veterans  under the supervision of an RN preceptor.

Participants must be able to work full time for the initial 10-week summer program (400 hours).  Following successful completion of the summer session, VA-STEPs  have the opportunity to continue working intermittently until  graduation.  Successful VA-STEPs will be  encouraged to apply for acceptance into Milwaukee’s  post baccalaureate nurse residency program or to become a nurse resident at another VAMC.

VA-STEP opportunities are available in the following areas:

  • Emergency Department
  • Intensive Care Unit
  • 3C (Mental Health)
  • 4C (Hematology/Oncology)
  • 5C (Cardiac)
  • 6CS (Progressive Care Unit)
  • 6CN (Medical/Surgical)
  • 7C (Surgical)
  • 9A (Community Living Center)
  • 9CN (Palliative), 9CS (Nursing Home)
  • Spinal Cord Injury Center (SCI)

Each VA-STEP is partnered with  a  RN  preceptor in their assigned area.  VA-STEPs  follow their preceptor’s schedule. During the initial 10 weeks, VA STEPs participate in multiple  professional development and simulation learning opportunities.

Eligibility requirements
  • U.S. citizens by birth or naturalization (U.S. Veterans are considered first among all equally qualified candidates).
  • Current nursing students who are within one semester of completing the junior year of a BSN program from a nationally accredited school.
  • Willing to undergo a background/suitability investigation.
  • Interested in Veteran-centric health care and desires employment at a VA medical center after graduation.
  • Must be able to work 400 hours during summer between junior and senior year.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
  • Currently in good academic standing (as defined by the school the student is attending) leading to graduation and NCLEX certification.
Application

If you meet eligibility requirements, please submit the following:

  • Cover letter, including why you are interested in this program
  • Resume
  • One letter of reference and one letter from the undergraduate dean for academic verification
  • School transcript (does not need to be official for application process)
  • DD 214 (if Veteran)
  • Application for Health Professions Trainees (VA Form 10-2850D). 10-2850d (va.gov)

Submit to vhamiwvastepmke@va.gov

Program contact

Kristine Robbins,  VA-STEP Program Administrative Lead

Michelle Matheny MSN, RN Program Manager

E-Mail: vhamiwvastepmke@va.gov

Office 414-384-2000, ext. 46895

Facility spotlight
  • 196 Acute beds (ICU and Progressive Care, Cardiology, Medical-Oncology, Medical-Surgical, Mental Health)
  • 113 Community Living Center beds (Palliative/Hospice, Geriatric Evaluation, Rehabilitation, Long-term care, Community Homes)
  • 150 Domiciliary beds (Substance Abuse Rehabilitation, Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
  • 38 Spinal Cord Injury beds
  • 30,521 ED Visits (FY 2022)
  • 7,985 Inpatient Admissions (FY 2022)
  • 796,784 Outpatient visits (FY 2022)

Shared Governance Councils support the Relationship-Based Care (RBC) Nursing Practice Model, which is a foundation for our nursing philosophy of care: to achieve excellence in health care through the caring relationship between the Veteran and professional nurse in a healing environment. Councils reporting to the Nurse Executive Council:

  • Nursing Practice
  • Professional Development
  • Evidence-Based Practice, Quality Improvement and Research
  • Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Nurse residency

Many of our VA-STEP employees apply for the Nurse Residency Program prior to their graduation, which is another excellent program offered by the VA. Learn more here.