TJ Wilcox-Olson, MHS, RN
National NOVA President Elect
VA Portland Healthcare System, Portland, Oregon

NOVA Chapter 332

Teresa Morris

NOVA Director, Advocacy & Government Relations

On October 21,2021, TJ Wilcox-Olson, President-Elect, Cathy Giasson, Membership Secretary, and Teresa Morris, NOVA’s Director of Advocacy and Government Relations were honored to visit the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (Chapter 273) in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

The purpose of the visit was to share information about NOVA and the benefits of being a member of a professional nursing organization designed just for VA Nurses!

After moving through the COVID screening station, we were taken to a conference room where the first guests were we met with night shift nurses who were eager to learn more about NOVA. They nurses were also the first to become new chapter members. There was a great turnout and engagement throughout the presentation; those in attendance wanted to learn more about NOVA’s education partnerships and committees. Nevada requires continuing education for nursing licensure and the many of the educational opportunities provided by NOVA can help each of the VA nurses achieve the required hours and goals.

The nurses also had many questions about our advocacy on Capitol Hill and shared their concerns about several issues that NOVA is helping to advance with Members of Congress. 

We found that the Nevada chapter contacts are eager to grow the Las Vegas chapter and to become get more involved in NOVA’s many programs and committees.

If your chapter is interested in having members from the NOVA Board of Directors visit your site, please reach out at nova@vanurse.org. We are always here to help!