Dear NOVA members and prospective members,

I hope you are enjoying the summer months and taking time to refresh and reenergize yourself.

I find myself reflecting back on the history of NOVA and our beginnings. 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.  Discontent ranged from disillusionment with nursing as a profession to adversarial relationships with physicians and resulted in pronounced staffing shortages.

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.

45 years later as VA nurses, we find ourselves with the same struggles nurses faced in 1980. With the ever-changing environment, nurses are leaving the VA and we are possibly facing shortages again. There is no more important time than now for NOVA to stand up and legislate for the needs of VA nurses!

NOVA has been impacted by the change in administration and the executive order signed in March that stopped the payroll deduction for Union dues. At many facilities dues for NOVA were listed as union dues which means that the executive order stopped payroll deduction for NOVA dues. More than half of NOVA members were on payroll deduction and this has resulted in the loss of members in the organization. While some members have rejoined many have not.

For 45 years NOVA has stood by VA nurses, driven by its mission to educate, communicate and advocate for the Department of Veterans Affairs nurse professionally, personally and legislatively. 

Today it is your turn to stand by NOVA!

Consider becoming a member of NOVA so that we can continue to support you in everything you do as a nurse in the VA

Join - Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs

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👥Recruit 5 new members and receive 50% off your NOVA annual membership!
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To qualify, all recruited members must join and pay in full for their annual membership