Bette L. Davis, MSN 

NOVA Past President/Nurse Emeritus

Washington, DC VAMC, Washington, DC

NOVA Chapter 156

Bette L. Davis, NOVA Past President and Nurse Emeritus, was one of the first clinical nurse specialists to be hired at the DC VAMC in the summer of 1971. Bette was also in the first group of 101 nurses in 1978 to be certified by ANA as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in psychiatric and mental health nursing practice. In addition to her specialty in consultation-liaison psychiatry during her years in Washington, DC, she assumed pivotal positions in the movement to forge new legislation and policies to advance nursing and the quality of care in the VA healthcare system.

Her broad background of teaching, clinical nursing, research and writing began when she graduated in the first class of the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill School of Nursing and was one of the first women at UNC to receive a four-year degree in nursing.

During the early years of her nursing career, she remained in North Carolina, teaching at the School of Nursing in Chapel Hill, and gaining experience in psychiatric nursing and public health. nursing. In 1964, she moved to Dallas, TX and became a VA nurse, a head nurse on a medical unit for five years. In 1969, she entered Yale University where she obtained a MSN degree and became a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric nursing in 1971.

In her national leadership role for the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs (NOVA), first as the legislative director, and later as President, she authored and presented numerous professional nursing testimony to the US Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to improve health care for US Veterans, accurately addressing critical and timely national concerns, such as the future of the VA healthcare system, the role of the VA and of nurses in national health care reform, women’s health care, nurse pay, and federal funding for nursing education, research and practice.

Throughout her career, Bette has made a significant impact toward raising the status of nursing and improving the quality of working life for those who have focused their careers on caring for men and women who have served our country in the military.

In 1992, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing honored her as the Alumna of the Year for her excellence in psychiatric liaison nursing and as a national spokesperson for the nursing profession and for health care.

In 1997, NOVA presented Bette with the Barbara Chambers Award for her leadership and outstanding contributions to NOVA. Chambers was the founding President of NOVA in 1980. Bette was cited for her work in enhancing the political power of VA professional nursing, making it a visible and interactive force in shaping the Department of Veterans Affairs health care policies and nursing’s role in that health care. 

From 1971 to 2000, Bette practiced as a CNS at the Washington, DC, VA Medical Center. This position kept her at the forefront of direct care. “Nurses before me pursued ways and means to improve nursing education and advanced practice, making it possible for nurses to remain in the clinical area.” 

As a result, Bette forged new legislation and policies that advanced nursing and the quality of care in the VA healthcare system. 

Bette retired in 2000 but continues to keep in touch with alumni and professional nursing organizations.

Bette speaking at the ANA nursing rally on Capitol Hill in 1992.