Veterans Affairs Learning Opportunity

Residency (VALOR)
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 nations Veterans. Learning
opportunities include classroom experiences, competency-based clinical practice
with a qualified preceptor, 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
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
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
Learning opportunities include classroom experiences, competency-based clinical practice with a qualified
preceptor and participation in specialty-focused clinical conferences.
Application Process
Contact the education department at your local medical center. The deadline for application varies by facility.
http://mycareeratva.va.gov/Careerpath/Internships/Pages/Veterans-Affairs-Learning-Opportunity-Residency-
%28VALOR%29.aspx