NOVA History

In 1992, based on a request by Democratic Senator Alan Cranston, Chairman, and Senator Arlen Spector, Ranking Republican Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the General Accounting Office began studying the effect of the implementation of the Nurse Pay Act of 1990. This action was taken in response to the concerns expressed by NOVA and other nurses.  NOVA shared information with GAO and the Congress regarding this issue.  In President Noreen Sommer’s testimony to the House Veterans Affairs Committee on February 19, 1992, and to the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees on February 27, 1992, she firmly stated that NOVA’s objective for quality care for the veteran patient would require proper funding or care would be restricted. NOVA was extremely dismayed to realize that funding had not been included in the FY 1993 proposal to continue the very successful pilot project to eliminate shift rotation. Pilot 798, originally funded for 1991 and to be continued in phases over five years, would reduce the need for the daytime RN staff to rotate to off tour evenings, nights, and weekends. Funding was absent in 1992, therefore, in the budget testimony, President Sommer stated “NOVA strongly recommends funding for 1,100 RN FTE for FY 1993 to improve the nurse-patient ratios and to ensure shift stability for all VA RNs.” In addition, the testimony reflected the serious shortage of funding for nurse pay. On other issues, NOVA urged the Congress to adequately fund computerization at the point of care to provide the highest level of care quickly and efficiently and supported the continued expansion of the automated unit dose dispensing system.

Bette Davis became NOVA’s fifth president, recognizing outgoing President Noreen Sommer for her outstanding service to NOVA. NOVA officially changed its name from Nurses Organization of the Veterans Administration to Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs.  The NOVA Distinguished Service Award was presented to Joseph L. Kurzejeski, the director of the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO. His progressive management style has been particularly demonstrated in relation to the profession of nursing in the VA Health Care System. He supported the elevation of the Chief Nurse to an Associate Director Level, conducting a successful pilot program.

Vernice Ferguson, R.N., M.S.N., F.A.A.N., F.R.C.P., ACMD for Nursing Programs presented “Being Heard.” Ms. Ferguson had announced that she would be leaving her post at the end of 1992 after serving as the leader of the nation’s largest nursing service since 1980. During her tenure, she has publicly stated numerous times the necessity for nurses to join and to actively participate in the professional nursing organizations such as NOVA. She has also always been available to NOVA and VA nurses to discuss the importance of a variety of issues which affect the VA nursing environment. Her ability to rally the troops has taken the VA nursing profession to new heights. NOVA publicly proclaimed that Vernice Ferguson has been a very strong leader and a very special friend, and honored her with a special award for her distinguished service and leadership as she completed her appointment in Central Office.