Dear NOVA Members,

NOVA Hill Day 2021 took place on Thursday, June 10th. This event afforded NOVA nurses a chance to meet virtually with lawmakers in Congress.

As I mentioned in the introductory remarks during the Hill Day Kick-Off Event, “NOVA's mission is to educate, communicate and advocate for the Department of Veterans Affairs nurse professionally, personally and legislatively. Having a voice on Capitol Hill is critical, and NOVA is the Voice of VA Nurses. Therefore, Hill Day is a great opportunity for our NOVA nurses, the frontline faces providing care for our Veterans, to ensure that all members of Congress – Democrats, Republicans and Independents understand what NOVA nurses do and the value NOVA nurses bring to providing the best care and services for our Nation’s Veterans. 

Being able to schedule a meeting with your legislators or their staff to discuss issues of importance to you is a powerful experience, whether it is your first time or you are a seasoned participant. When you advocate on behalf of a cause you are passionate about, it empowers you to become more engaged politically and professionally, strengthens the message you are trying to deliver and helps you get the desired results. Lawmakers will feel the weight of an issue when you are able to make a personal connection so don’t forget to share your stories. It is quite effective when they hear your story in your own words. 

Educating elected officials and those who work for them about NOVA’s 2021 legislative priority goals related to the budget, staffing, Human Resources, recruitment and retention is the ultimate goal today. I hope you enjoy speaking with your members of the 117 th Congress about the critical issues and advocating for the health and well-being of Veterans in order to put NOVA’s priorities at the top of their legislative agendas. I believe that each of you as NOVA nurses are the best ones to do this!”

During the Kick-Off Event, we heard inspiring messages from House and Senate VA Committee Chairmen Mark Takano (D-CA) and Senator Jon Tester (D-MT). Attendees also received valuable information from NOVA Director, Advocacy & Government Relations Teresa Morris and NOVA Legislative Committee Co-chairperson Steven Powell, and were able to ask questions during the Kick-Off Event.

In case you weren’t able to attend Hill Day this year, here is NOVA's Virtual Hill Day Kick-Off Recording.

NOVA nurses from around the country gave voice to our 2021 legislative priorities for the 117th  Congress. Nurses from the VA Boston HCS and VA Central Western Massachusetts HCS partnered up that day. We met with Congressional Staff Members of Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and then later the Senior Legislative Assistant of Representative Stephen Lynch. We had robust discussions on recruitment, retention, staffing and VA’s COVID response and urged them to properly fund VA so we can continue providing timely access to high quality healthcare for Veterans.

Special thanks to all the NOVA nurses who took time out of their busy schedules to attend the 2021 NOVA Hill Day, and helped make it a virtual success. Your continued advocacy will ensure that VA healthcare remains a leader in providing veteran-centric care for those who have served our country.

With appreciation, 

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

NOVA Hill Day Kick-Off Event

Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)

Representative Mark Takano (D-CA)

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Representative Stephen Lynch (D-MA)

2021 NOVA Hill Day Attendees: Kelly D. Skinner, Nancy Brooks and Sherry Clement (Chapter 226)