For more than 20 years, the VA has offered this exciting, year-long clinical experience for BSN students and Medical Laboratory Scientist between their junior and senior years. In 2025, the program will expand to offer Pharmacy students that same clinical experience between their Sophomore and Junior years. VA-STEP is designed to increase participants’ clinical skills, clinical judgment, and critical thinking while caring for our nation’s Veterans. This program provides opportunities for learning including didactic or classroom experiences and clinical practice with a qualified RN (Registered Nurse), Medical Laboratory Scientist, and Pharmacist preceptors.

Students recruited for the program must have completed the final semester or quarter of the junior year in an accredited baccalaureate nursing program or Medical Laboratory Scientist; Pharmacy students must have completed the final semester or quarter of the Sophomore year in an accredited doctorate of Pharmacy program.

Students are appointed during the summer months for 400 hours (A few facilities have approval for these hours to occur outside of the normal Summer hours). This experience may continue during their senior academic year on a part-time basis to no more than 800 hours for Nursing and Medical Laboratory Scientist. Pharmacy student can continue their additional 400 hours during their Junior and Senior academic years on a part-time basis to no more than 800 hours.