Dear NOVA Members,

                                 

The VA has released the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan and has begun vaccinating the Veterans and frontline staff. On December 14, 2020, Margaret Klessens, a 96-year-old World War II Veteran and resident in the Community Living Center at the Bedford VA Healthcare System, was the first VA patient nationwide to get the COVID-19 vaccine. What a historic event!

NOVA nurses: Steven Powell (Michael E. DeBakey VAMC), Cindy Solomon (Central Virginia VA Health Care System), and Miriam Rogers Holly (Maryland VA Health Care System) who will start serving as Directors on the national NOVA Board in January 2021, have also been given the COVID-19 vaccine. Here is what they have to report.

Steven Powell, MSN, RN-BC, CRRN: "I didn't feel a thing when I got the COVID-19 vaccine. Eventually mild muscle soreness set in and disappeared akin to the flu shot. I'm happy to have received it and encourage everyone indicated to do so too.”

Cindy Solomon, MSN, APRN, ACNP-BC: “ Thank you to all those that collaborated to make this moment possible. My experience getting the COVID-19 vaccine at the Central Virginia HVCS was a masterfully organized process from beginning to end! Kudos to everyone from planning to implementation. A little bit of a sore arm was my only side effect. Ready for the second injection in 3 weeks.”

Miriam Rogers Holy, MSN-PH, RN, ACM: “I second-guessed my decision initially to get the COVID-19 vaccine but after reviewing my whys, I decided that receiving it was right for me. I am grateful to the VA nurses for making me comfortable while giving it and watching over me for 20 minutes after. Thank you, VA nurses! I am proud to be among you.”

 

Catherine Giasson, DNP, MHA, RN, NE-BC, NOVA Director who assumes the role of NOVA Membership Secretary in January 2021, was given the COVID-19 injection. She said, “On Monday, December 21, 2020, I received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the VA Central Western MA Health Care System . I chose to receive the vaccine to protect our Veterans, my coworkers, my family, and myself. Get your vaccine today!”

 

 

 

 Cathy Giasson

 

NOVA Past President Cecilia McVey, MHA, RN, FAA,  received the COVID-19 vaccine on December 22, 2020 at the VA Boston Healthcare System. She commented, “I am so excited to be getting the COVID-19 vaccine along my fellow staff and patients. Here’s hoping for a healthier and safer 2021!"

Cecilia McVey

I am happy to share that I received the COVID-19 vaccine on December 22, 2020. I am grateful to be amongst the first at the VA Boston Healthcare System to get it. For those who are eligible for the vaccine, I encourage you to receive it to help protect yourself, your family and our Veterans. Please join us in this effort to save lives and inspire others to do the same during this global crisis.

 

                                                                           

Kelly D. Skinner

On behalf of NOVA, I am requesting that after you receive the COVID-19 vaccine, please send a message to NOVA via Facebook Messenger or email NOVA at nova@vanurse.org with your photo, name, and VA facility. Your photo will be displayed on the COVID-19 Vaccinated NOVA Nurses scrolling banner on the NOVA website: https://www.vanurse.org. Thank you in advance for your support and participation.

Stay safe and healthy! Happy Holidays!

With appreciation, 

Kelly D. Skinner, DNP, APRN, NP-C, GNP-BC, CRRN, WCC, CFCN