For more than 20 years, the VA has offered this exciting, year-long clinical residency for BSN students between their junior and senior 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) preceptor. Students recruited for the program must have completed the final semester or quarter of the junior year in an accredited baccalaureate nursing program. Students are appointed during the summer months for 400 hours. This experience may continue during their senior academic year on a part-time basis to no more than 800 hours.