The 2020 Nursing Leadership Scholarship in Honor of Catherine J. Rick

Recipient: Jonlyn Glenn, BSN, RN

I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to the NOVA Scholarship Committee and to all who generously support this wonderful organization making these scholarships possible. I am so thankful to NOVA for its commitment to supporting the growth and success of VA nurses. Over the years, NOVA has provided me with mentors and role models who have inspired me to further my education.  Now, NOVA is making that goal even more attainable by providing additional support with an educational scholarship. Answering NOVA’s essay questions provided a great opportunity for me to reflect on my last five years with the VA healthcare system and to appreciate, all over again, what a privilege it is to serve our nation’s Veterans. It helped me to clarify my nursing goals and put to words the ways in which I hope to give back to an organization that has already given me so much.

Not only will the NOVA scholarship be a great help to my family financially, but more importantly it has given me a renewed sense of motivation, pride in my work and  excitement for the future of my nursing career. After receiving this scholarship, I spent some time reading about Ms. Catherine J. Rick and her years of dedicated service to the VA. In doing  so, I have become even more inspired and enthusiastic about pursuing my nursing passions and  making a tangible difference for others, as Ms. Rick has so impressively done. I am grateful to add another role model to my list and I am committed to giving my best effort in living up to the title of this scholarship. I hope to one day be able to give back to the nursing profession, and to NOVA in particular for the opportunities it has afforded me. Thank you for helping me to continue my education and for widening my eyes to so many possibilities. Please know that NOVA has made a profound difference in my life and I appreciate your generosity and support immensely.

Jonlyn Glenn

The 2020 Veterans Advocacy Scholarship in Honor of Anthony J. Principi

Recipient: Ashley N. Jones, MS, BSN, RN, OCN, CHPN, NE-BC

I have been a VA Nurse for almost nine years. I was also a student nurse technician at the VA for two and a half years while completing my BSN. To say the VA has shaped the nurse I am is an understatement. I have grown both professionally and personally during my career at the VA. I started as a student nurse technician and am now a nurse manager. I also completed my BSN and MS while at the VA. I am currently in pursuit of my DNP. My VA Journey has been a fulfilling one thus far and is far from stalling. I will be starting the research and project portion of my degree soon. This award will help me evaluate the effectiveness of telemedicine in the prevention of cancer in the Veteran population. This scholarship will afford me the opportunity to complete my DNP program and fully dedicate myself to this endeavor. Words cannot express my gratitude and appreciation for this generous scholarship. Thank you for the opportunity!

Ashley N. Jones

The 2020 Commitment to Serving Veterans Scholarship in Honor of Jesse Brown

Recipient: Danielle L. Alderman, BSN, RN

Receiving this scholarship alleviates some of the stress and anxiety associated with pursuing a graduate degree. In addition to the financial burdens graduate school can place on an individual, I have been tasked with many other competing factors in the last year such as maintaining full-time employment, raising a family in a single parent household, caring for an ill parent, recovering from a COVID-19 infection, and parenting school-age children during a pandemic. However, I consider it all worth it for the value of receiving an advanced degree knowing the impact it will have on my career as a VA Nurse. A graduate nursing degree with a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification will help advance nursing practice and the quality of care provided to Veterans at the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System. Veterans have sacrificed so much in service to this country that they deserve that same sacrifice and commitment from me and all VA nurses across the country. Thank you, NOVA, for your support!

Danielle L. Alderman

The 2020 Nurse Emeritus Academic Scholarship in Honor of Mary Raymer

Recipient: Kim Claude, MSN, APRN, ANP-BC

It is a privilege to be awarded with the Nurse Emeritus Academic Scholarship in Honor of Mary Raymer by the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs. This scholarship will help me achieve my goal of completing my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. 

I am a nurse practitioner at the VA Boston in surgical services, otolaryngology. Currently, my scholarly project is implementing a perioperative pathway for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Untreated OSA, especially in conjunction with medication that depresses respiratory drive, can lead to death. To provide safe, efficient and evidence-based care for our nation’s Veterans, implementing a perioperative clinical pathway for surgical patients with suspected or verified OSA is imperative. The goal of this project is to reduce postoperative adverse events for patients with confirmed or suspected OSA, and to improve referrals to sleep medicine for newly identified patients who fail OSA screening.

Once I receive my DNP, I will continue to examine current practices within the Veterans Health Administration and think of ways to improve the quality of care to Veterans.

Thank you,

Kim Claude

The 2020 NOVA Annual Meeting Scholarship

Recipient: Nancy Brooks, BSN, RN, WCC, CFCN

Being a NOVA member is important to me. Over the years, I have attended several NOVA annual meetings. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting San Francisco, New Orleans, Dallas and Miami where I was able to meet other VA nurses, attend many informational lectures and view poster presentations. When I saw the opportunity to apply for a scholarship for the 40^th Annual Meeting, I didn’t hesitate. I am very appreciative that I was selected to receive an annual meeting scholarship. Although it was virtual, the feeling of being a part of something as great as NOVA didn’t change. Thank you again for the opportunity to attend this year’s annual meeting as well as the many great annual meetings over the years. I am already looking forward to attending next year’s meeting in Las Vegas!

Nancy Brooks