As May comes to a close, I hope you were able to spend time during nurse’s week to recognize and celebrate the hard work that VA nurses do every day. Nursing continues to be recognized as the most trusted profession but I also believe that nurses are the most resilient group of professionals.

During the fall of 1980, the nationwide shortage of registered nurses reached crisis proportions. Nurses were leaving the profession in droves, enrollment in nursing schools was decreasing, and discontent was widespread. This unfortunate situation was no more pronounced than in the VA system.  When PL 96-330 was passed by Congress without direct input from VA nurses, a small group of dedicated nurses at the Hines VA Hospital in Illinois decided that it was time for action.  This decision marked the birth of the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs.

It has been 45 years since the founding of NOVA yet we continue to face challenging and stressful times in the VA. 2025 has been an ever-changing landscape yet as nurses you come to work every day ready to care for the veterans that we serve. Being resilient means that you are flexible and adapt to the never-ending changes we are facing this year.

NOVA is also resilient and this year we have faced challenges due to the environment we find ourselves in.  We are working hard to maintain the only professional organization for VA nurses!

As you are aware NOVA has been impacted by executive orders. Payroll dues have been discontinued and as a result members of NOVA have been impacted. Your membership may have been discontinued if your dues were paid through payroll deduction. We have been working very hard to move to automatic payments to ensure our members continue to receive the benefits they deserve.

If you have not renewed your membership through automatic payments, now is the time!

More than ever, it is important for NOVA to meet the mission of advocating for VA nurses legislatively. 

Don’t forget to register for the 45th Annual Conference in beautiful Nashville!  Register today to ensure you are part of NOVA’s Annual Conference. Come and meet other VA nurses, make new friends and network with VA nurses across the country!

Join Us for NOVA's 45th Annual Conference in Nashville! 
 
Celebrating 45 Years of Advocacy, Empowerment and Healing: NOVA Nurses Committed Through Innovation and Leadership!