By TJ Wilcox-Olson and Teresa Morris

Over the last year NOVA was asked to visit various facilities to help spread the word about the best VA professional nursing organization. We provided in-depth information about NOVA,  membership benefits and activities, all which were well-received by the VA facilities visited this year.

On May 4, NOVA President TJ Wilcox-Olson and Teresa Morris, NOVA’s Director of Advocacy and Government Relations, had the honor of visiting the Long Beach VA (Chapter 126) in Long Beach, California. They met with NOVA Past President, Larry Lemos, who gave them a brief facility tour. Throughout the morning they visited with individual nurses and shared information about NOVA and the benefits of being a member of a professional nursing organization. TJ and Teresa also provided a well-attended presentation which included highlights of the importance of advocacy. Later that evening, the chapter hosted a dinner event, “Understanding the Chronic Wound Continuum: The Nurses Role in Real Wound Healing, Biofilm Based Wound Management, and Organogenesis Portfolio,” presented by Susan Reid, a Senior Medical Science Liaison for Organogenesis.

The next day, TJ and Teresa traveled to the San Diego VA (Chapter 138). They completed 4 presentations throughout the day and met with individual nurses to answer questions about NOVA. Many of the members were interested in the RAISE Act and how it will be implemented at the local level. This was the perfect time to discuss the importance of nurses having a voice to help advocate at every level in the VA.    

They capped off the day celebrating Cinco De Mayo at dinner with chapter members at a beautiful coastal restaurant.

If your chapter is interested in having members from the NOVA Board of Directors visit your site, please reach out at nova@vanurse.org.