By TJ Wilcox-Olson, MHS, RN, CPHQ

The first week of May I had the honor of visiting the Long Beach and San Diego VA facilities to share information about NOVA. A large portion of the presentation was focused on the hard work of NOVA’s committee members. This is where individual voices can be heard and change is made. 

The first committee I was part of after joining NOVA was the Membership Committee. My chapter had not been active for years and there were very few members. I listened attentively during each conference call (there was no Zoom back then) to learn tips on how to talk to my coworkers about membership. 

I learned about the Annual Meeting Planning Committee and signed up to join. I was eager to have insider information about  the meeting location d and who would be there. Quick plug: our next Annual Meeting is October 19-20, 2022, in New Orleans. 

I began collecting committee memberships over the next couple of years and have been on nearly all of them at this point. Committee membership helps us to celebrate and recognize the work that  VA nurses do every day. 

The Education Committee plays a vital role in NOVA’s ability to provide continuing education credits. The Editorial Committee works diligently to make the NOVA News newsletter and blog possible. They also work closely with the Social Media Committee. Without them, it would not be an easy task to share chapter and member activities, special projects,  and new vital information with VA nurses. Nurses are the most trusted profession and our voices matter. The Legislative Committee is where that “act of Congress” to make change starts. NOVA’s policies and bylaws are kept current through meticulous evaluation by our Bylaws and Policy Committee and our institutional memory is documented by NOVA’s History Committee.

If you are a retired nurse and think you can’t be part of committees anymore, think again! Join our Nurse Emeritus Committee. Our APRN and LPN/LVN Committees are also looking to expand. 

So, what can NOVA do for you? Volunteer for a committee and tell us. For a full list of committees visit the website and learn more under the Support tab. 

2022_nova_committee_roles_an.pdf (ymaws.com)

novacommittees (vanurse.org)