South Texas VA preparing for nurse shortage

According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, there will be a severe shortage of nurses throughout the country by 2030. Leading that list is Texas and Florida because of their rapid growth. South Texas VA is already taking measures to prepare for the future.

Registered nurses and nurse practitioners were listed among the top Veteran Health Administration mission critical occupations.

The health care system located in San Antonio recently celebrated the graduation of the second cohort of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) residency program.

“Hearing women Veteran experiences about feeling powerless makes me want to empower them.”

Dr. Valerie Rodriguez-Yu, associate director for Patient Care Services, told the audience at the graduation ceremony how COVID-19 painted a clear picture of the need for providers. “As our nation has learned throughout the pandemic, medical professionals are in short supply, especially in nursing. In academic year 2021-2022, VA’s Office of Academic Affiliations added 28 new nurse residency programs in response to one of the nation’s most critical health care occupation shortages.”

The graduating cohort had four residents, including two in primary care: Dr. Angelica Romasko and Rebecca Ebert, FNP. Joining them were two mental health residents: Nurse Practitioners Olivia Yeargain and Tracy Senterfitt.

According to the director of the Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency Program, Dr. Rebecca Santomassimo, the residents must be fully licensed as a nurse practitioner and board certified in their chosen specialty.

What makes this residency unique is its Veteran focus.

“The program develops leaders in advocacy, clinical care and research while servicing diverse socioeconomic backgrounds in a supportive environment dedicated to teaching, mentorship and Veteran-centric care,” Santomassimo said.

“Want to make female Veterans feel comfortable.”

Romasko said the program was critical for her understanding of the specialized needs of Veterans. It even taught her things she didn’t know about this population.

“I was surprised to learn about the high prevalence of military sexual trauma among female Veterans. Hearing their experiences about feeling powerless makes me want to empower them and make them feel as comfortable as possible during uncomfortable situations like a woman’s health exam,” Romasko added.

The year-long residencies are affiliated with the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing.

Rodriguez-Yu summed up what the residents will bring to VA. “No doubt throughout this residency, you have developed and grown into prepared providers through didactic and inter-professional clinical experiences. You did this all while improving access to care for Veterans with complex primary care and mental health needs.”

Plans for program to double in size

Santomassimo said each graduating nurse was offered a position. All the graduates accepted positions throughout the network from the new Northwest Health Care Center to Victoria. They will now have full patient panels.

Santomassimo added that this second cohort is just the beginning. As Veterans continue to choose VA, the program, just like the health care needs of the Veterans, will expand. The next cohort has already been planned to double in size to eight nurses.

“Coming to VA felt like home.”

Nurse Tracy Senterfitt is appreciative of the opportunity to train at VA because she says these opportunities are rare. “Residency is not as common as you may think among nurse practitioners. The residency program at VA strengthens and matures providers through continued education opportunities and hands-on experiences with other providers in the psychiatric mental health field.”

Senterfitt says her practicing at VA has been very rewarding. “Serving those who have served this country is truly my greatest honor. I have a family of Veterans as well as active service members and it is my passion to support, honor and give back to the community.”

“I was familiar with health care from an active-duty perspective since I was a Navy nurse,” Romasko said. “Coming to VA felt like home.”