NOVA’s Licensed Practical Nurses Reveal Their “Why”— and How NOVA Supports That Mission 

NOVA’s Licensed Practical Nurses discuss the reasons why they became a nurse and why they chose to join the Department of Veterans Affairs. They describe some of the difficulties while working in their VA clinics and explain how NOVA has helped them on their journey in service as an LPN.

Why NOVA LPNs Choose Nursing

There are many reasons why people become nurses and join the VA. For NOVA Board of Director, Betty Ogren, LPN, VA Northern Indiana Health Care System, her grandfather was her inspiration to care for  Veterans. She recalls that he was not able to get the help he needed because of the distance from his local VA. “I wanted to take care of Veterans,” Ogren said. “I could not take care of my grandpa, a U.S. Army Veteran, when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The VA was more than three hours from my grandparents, and they had very little help. I wanted to help Veterans, caregivers, and spouses navigate the system and receive the appropriate support.”

Carol McTavish, LPN at VA Boston Healthcare System, has worked in the VA for nearly 30 years and says that it was fate that led her to a  career in the VA. “Looking back, it seems that Nursing chose me..."  McTavish said. “We were in the middle of traveling to Ireland when my best friend submitted an application to nursing school. It was so much simpler 30-plus years ago! My mom received a call saying that I had been accepted and the start date was the day after we arrived home. It felt like fate.”

Handling Difficult Times

During the pandemic, LPNs have been some of the frontline workers keeping their patients healthy. According to Mary Hill, LPN, TCT, when the pandemic first started, her clinic had to completely pivot with patient visits on short notice. “The COVID-19 crisis has changed how we do patient visits. We switched to training providers and patients to use iPads and other personal devices to make  services available. It was very stressful for the providers, patients, and staff, but we did it!”

Ogren shared a Veterans Crisis Line incident when a Veteran left her an instant message requesting assistance with a patient  on her team, which was a rare occurrence. The Veteran had called stating he was in the parking lot in a car with tinted windows and was armed. “He planned to stay there and if approached would shoot. I was able to work with the crisis line worker to get the necessary information to assist VA and local police. The Veteran left the campus, was picked up by local police and taken to a mental health facility for help.”

LPNs and NOVA

According to McTavish, NOVA has helped give LPNs a voice and the opportunity to be a part of webinars and committees. “I enjoy the support of other members when I need someone to talk to.” 

For Ogren, joining NOVA has let her expand her reach within the organization and see all the hard work that is involved. “NOVA has been really phenomenal. I joined  NOVA in 2015, but did not get involved right away. I had expressed interest in serving on the Board of Directors, not thinking that I would have a chance. I was appointed to the board last year, and that is when my eyes were opened as to all things that the NOVA does.”

Ogren mentioned when she went to her first NOVA Hill Day: “To be able to stand in front of a Congressman or Congresswoman or the House Committee or Senate Committee and have them say, ‘What do you need?’ was something I will never, ever forget.”

NOVA is here to support all of its members in any way possible, through committees, education, events, advocacy, or more.

Connect with fellow VA Nurses from around the country during NOVA’s Virtual Hill Day on June 10. Click here to find out more!