Primary Health Network Launches Innovative CRNP Residency Program for Second Consecutive Year

SHARON, Pa. (EYT) — In efforts to fulfill the crucial need for skilled healthcare providers, Primary Health Network (PHN) will continue its Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) Residency Program for the second consecutive year.

The relaunching of the CRNP Residency Program aims to address provider shortages and other challenges in healthcare recruitment and retention, while improving health outcomes in underserved communities. By connecting CRNPs with the mission of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), new pathways emerge, reducing barriers to care and improving access to services.

PHN’s CRNP Residency Program seeks to enhance newly licensed CRNPs by providing a curriculum to further develop and strengthen skills in a highly collaborative and interprofessional setting. Students will be equipped with tools in a hands-on environment, gaining insight and the confidence to excel in an FQHC setting. With the program’s focus on clinical complexity, evidence-based decision-making, patient safety, and compassionate care, CRNPs can support the distinctive needs of community health centers and the communities they serve, fostering commitment to community. Clinics and locations include PHN’s Sharon Medical Group, located in Sharon, Pennsylvania, with travel to other Primary Health Network locations.

“By establishing the CRNP Residency Program at PHN, we can provide a comprehensive, direct approach, integrating the residents into the environment of an FQHC,” said Dr. Angela Hogue, Chief Medical Officer at PHN. “By providing an immersive and supportive learning atmosphere, we can create a confident, skilled, and mission-led generation of healthcare professionals, focused on improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve.”

Laurie Dwyer, PHN CRNP, shared, “I am proud to be part of a training experience dedicated to supporting new Nurse Practitioners as they transition into advanced clinical practice. Our program bridges the gap between education and independent practice through structured mentorship, diverse clinical exposure, and protected learning time. We strongly believe in fostering confidence, competence, and professional growth, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the program.”

Program Structure and Focus:

The CRNP Residency Program will run from September 2026 to August 2027, accepting two residents annually. The one-year, salaried residency, followed by employment at Primary Health Network, has a clinically emphasized, comprehensive training framework, including the following:

• 40% Precepted Continuity Clinics: Direct hands-on experience in primary care.
• 20% Specialty Rotations: Opportunities in Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Women’s Health, Urgent Care, and Telemedicine.
• 20% Mentored Clinics: Focus on acute and episodic care with supervision.
• 20% Didactic Education: Classroom learning to reinforce clinical competencies, including lectures, case studies, and labs relevant to FQHCs.

Participants in the residency program will engage in ThriveAP, which enables residents to connect with new nurse practitioners nationwide through weekly didactic sessions. Residents will also participate in Project ECHO, an evidence-based, case-learning model that enhances preparation for complex healthcare scenarios through collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of specialists.

By equipping and empowering students with the necessary tools and resources to excel in a collaborative healthcare setting, we can enhance our ability to support the unique needs of the communities we serve.

Application Details:

Applications for the CRNP Residency Program are currently open and close on February 27, 2026. Eligible candidates include Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) who completed their program after August 2025 and are licensed in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The application process will involve online submissions, phone screenings, onsite interviews, and final selection. To apply, candidates must submit a completed application, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.

The relaunch of the CRNP Residency Program reaffirms PHN’s commitment to addressing healthcare provider shortages while improving access to care in underserved communities. PHN strives to give residents a variety of clinic experiences and mentorship, focused on clinical complexity, evidence-based decision making, patient safety, and compassionate patient-centered care. By investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals, PHN continues to make strides to lead to stronger, healthier communities for all.

For more information and to apply, please visit primary-health.net/crnp-program/.

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