Veterans Affairs Learning Opportunity Residency (VALOR)
Main Content
The Veterans Affairs Learning Opportunity Residency (VALOR) program provides students with the opportunity to develop competencies in clinical nursing, pharmacy and medical technology during residency at an approved VA health care facility. The program is designed to improve participants' clinical skills, clinical judgment and critical thinking while caring for our nation’s Veterans. Learning opportunities include classroom experiences, competency-based clinical practice with a qualified receptor, and participation in focused clinical conferences. Students may be appointed on a full- or part-time basis during the summer months and may continue during their senior academic year on a part-time basis. Students participate in the program for one full year, while completing a minimum of 400 consecutive work hours during the summer months. Students may complete an additional 400 work hours during their senior academic year.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility Content
Students who have completed the final semester of their junior year in a National League for Nursing (NLN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited baccalaureate or equivalent nursing program are eligible. Since the inaugural class of 2007, the Pharmacy VALOR program provides opportunities for outstanding students to develop competencies in pharmacy practice. Students recruited for the program must have completed the third professional year (or equivalent year-round programs) of education at an Accreditation Council of Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) accredited School or College of Pharmacy. In 2009, VALOR began providing opportunities for outstanding students to develop competencies in clinical laboratory science. Opportunities for learning include classroom experiences, competency-based clinical practice with a qualified Medical Technologist (Med Tech) preceptor and participation in focused clinical conferences. Students recruited for the program must have completed the final semester or quarter of their junior year in a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) baccalaureate or equivalent medical technologist program.
Qualifications
Qualifications Content
Juniors in the appropriate accredited program can apply to begin the VALOR program the following summer. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
General Training & Development Experiences
Training Content
Learning opportunities include classroom experiences, competency-based clinical practice with a qualified preceptor and participation in specialty-focused clinical conferences.
Application Process
Application Process Content
Contact the education department at your local medical center. The deadline for application varies by facility.