The goal of HealthFirst’s FNP Residency Program is to prepare the next generation of family nurse practitioners to deliver exceptional, patient-centered care to the medically complex population we serve in the Greater Fall River community in Southeastern Massachusetts. By fostering a supportive, structured learning environment and building clinical confidence, our program aims to empower FNP residents to thrive in primary care practice and remain in community health settings long term.
Katie Tavares, FNP – Residency Program Director
HealthFirst’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Residency is a paid, twelve-month, post-graduate program launching in September. Designed to provide continued support after twelve months to new nurse practitioners as they transition into independent practice, the program emphasizes community-based primary care for complex and underserved populations across the lifespan. Through structured mentorship, specialty rotations in women’s health, pediatrics, adult medicine, obesity, Hepatitis C, behavioral health, and addiction medicine that strengthen comprehensive primary care skills, and hands-on clinical experience, residents build the clinical expertise, operational confidence, and professional judgement needed to thrive in a primary care setting. The residency is followed by a one-year employment commitment, offering a valuable opportunity to further refine skills in a full-time nurse practitioner role.
Launch your career with confidence in a structured, supportive program designed to help you thrive in primary care.
Grow in Practice – With Support Every Step of the Way
Build your own patient panel while working side-by-side with an experienced collaborating provider. You’ll start with a managable schedule and gradually increase independence as your confidence and clinical skills grow.
Broad, Hands-On Specialty Experience
Gain real-world exposure in pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health, addiction medicine, school-based health, and more — preparing you to practice comprehensive family medicine in a community setting.
Dedicated Mentorship & Leadership Development
Receive personalized mentorship from seasoned clinicians who are committed to your success. Develop leadership skills, strengthen clinical reasoning, and build the professional identity that sets you apart.
Structured Learning That Goes Beyond the Textbook
Participate in weekly didactic sessions covering advanced clinical care, EMR optimization, health equity, quality improvement, and team-based care.
Specialty Clinical Rotations
To ensure broad-based competency in family medicine, residents participate in monthly specialty sessions during their first year. Rotations occur onsite or through community partnerships.
Sample Core Specialty Rotations
- Pediatrics
- School-based Health
- Gynecology & Women’s Health (including procedures such as IUD/Nexplanon insertion)
- Reproductive Health
- Behavioral Health Integration
- Addiction & Substance Use Disorder Treatment
- Hepatitus Care
- Dental Integration
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Services
Preceptorship & Mentorship
Residents are supported by experienced, Brown University-affiliated Nurse Practitioners and Physicians in both primary and specialty care.
Preceptor Focus Areas:
- Clinical reasoning & differential diagnosis
- Evidence-based guideline adherence
- Diagnostic interpretation
- Medication management
- Documentation excellence
- Procedural skills (Pap smears, IUD/Nexplanon insertion, injections)
- Team-based collaboration
- Professionalism & ethics
Residency Notables:
- Residents are hired as full-time employees with benefits
- Potential for loan repayment opportunities
Timeline:
- Apply now by visiting the HealthFirst Career Center through June 30, 2026.
