A wonderful day of networking and sharing information about NOVA took place on February 19, 2023 when Phoenix NOVA Chapter 110 gathered for a lunch and Membership Meeting at the Phoenix City Grille, welcoming NOVA members, NOVA Nurse Emeritus members, potential new members, and friends. 

Nancy Claflin shared Information regarding the benefits of NOVA membership, including opportunities for LPNs, RNs, and APRNs to join and ways to join including payroll deduction, opportunities to network with other NOVA members across the country; educational opportunities including webinars and NOVA’s Annual Meeting to be held at Harrah’s in Las Vegas, NV October 26-27, 2023; NOVA’s mentoring program, NOVA scholarships, certification and discounts, NOVA News, and volunteer opportunities with NOVA committees. 

Nancy also discussed NOVA’s advocacy efforts, including reviewing NOVA’s 2023 Priority Goals and the upcoming NOVA Hill Day on March 9, inviting attendees to identify specific concerns to be shared with Congressional Members and staff. She also shared information on NOVA’s new Caring for Veterans Webinar Series, a three-year program covering important information, not only for new graduate nurses and nurses new to VA, but also for experienced VA nurses.  Topics to be covered in 2023 include acute pain management, breast and cervical screening, caregiver support, community care, COVID-19, eligibility for VA care, compensation and pension, fundamentals of military culture, hospice and palliative care, homelessness and the HUD-VASH program, suicide in the veteran population, whole health, and wound care. 

Nancy also shared information from the General Counsel opinion which states that NOVA may use VA facilities for their professional association activities. The opinion also states that NOVA has access to post notice of and hold legitimate meetings of their members which means that NOVA members can put up flyers in break rooms or on education bulletin boards for example to announce NOVA’s webinars. 

Attendees were encouraged to follow NOVA on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and to share information with colleagues.  Attendees are looking forward to the next gathering.