VA Bedford Healthcare System — officially known as The Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital — has received approval to launch a new Geriatrics and Extended Care Nurse Practitioner Residency Program for the 2026–2027 academic year. The program is now accepting applications for its inaugural cohort, which begins in September 2026.
The announcement adds a meaningful new option to the VA's already-substantial NP residency network and fills a glaring gap in geriatric workforce training — a specialty where less than 3% of advanced practice nurses hold certification.
About the Program
The residency is led by Program Director Brittany Carey, NP, a geriatrics-focused nurse practitioner with extensive clinical and educational experience at VA Bedford. The program is designed for newly graduated, board-certified (or board-certification-pending) nurse practitioners who want structured post-graduate training in geriatric care.
VA Bedford already hosts a successful Mental Health NP Residency Program and is recognized by both the Veterans Health Administration and the National Collaborative for Improving the Clinical Learning Environment for its capacity to train residents in a collaborative, team-based environment. The geriatrics program builds on that foundation in a specialty that is becoming increasingly critical as the Veteran population ages.
Clinical Rotations
Residents will complete 12 months of supervised clinical practice across a broad set of geriatric care settings, giving them exposure to the full continuum of care for older adults:
Educational Curriculum
Clinical rotations are supported by a structured didactic curriculum including weekly educational sessions. The format mirrors what you'd find in VA residencies across the country:
- Clinical lectures and case-based discussions
- Simulation training
- Journal clubs
- Interprofessional workshops
- A quality improvement project focused on geriatric Veteran care, culminating in a presentation to facility leadership
Why geriatrics? The aging Veteran population is driving demand for geriatric-trained APPs across VA and civilian health systems. With fewer than 7% of APNs practicing in geriatrics, NPs who complete a geriatric residency are entering one of the most undersupplied specialty areas in the country — with strong employment prospects in both VA and community settings.
VA Workforce Goals
The program explicitly aligns with VHA workforce benchmarks: VA anticipates that at least 70% of NP residency graduates will accept VA employment after completing training, with 70% retained one year after hire. For NPs considering a VA career, completing a VA residency remains one of the clearest pathways to employment — the relationships, credentialing familiarity, and system knowledge built during the residency year translate directly into a competitive advantage when VA positions open.
VA Bedford's New England location also positions graduates well for employment across a region that has significant Veterans health infrastructure but historically limited geriatric specialist capacity.
How to Apply
Applications are now open for the inaugural September 2026 cohort. The program is open to newly graduated, board-certified nurse practitioners or those with board certification pending. Full eligibility requirements, application instructions, and deadlines are available directly through the VA Bedford website.
If geriatric care, Veterans health, or the VA system appeals to you, this is a timely opportunity. Inaugural cohorts often come with particular advantages — direct access to program leadership, the chance to help shape curriculum, and the distinction of being among the program's first graduates.
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