Dear Colleagues and Fellow Advocates,

It is a profound honor to address you as your incoming President of the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs (NOVA). As we embark on this journey together, I am reminded of the unique bond we share—not just as nurses, but as the specialized backbone of the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system.

Our Mission: More Than a Profession

The NOVA mission is clear: to educate, communicate, and advocate for the Department of Veterans Affairs nurse professionally, personally, and legislatively. We exist to ensure that every VA nurse has the resources, voice, and support needed to deliver the world-class care our nation’s heroes deserve.

The Critical Need for Membership

Our strength lies in our numbers. We are currently navigating a landscape of significant change, including the largest VA reorganization in 30 years and ongoing challenges to nursing staffing levels. Now, more than ever, we must increase our membership to remain a powerful, independent voice.

A larger membership means more weight behind our Legislative Priority Goals, such as securing sufficient funding for staffing and protecting the VHA from policies that could fragment Veteran care. I urge each of you to reach out to a colleague today; remember, through our Member-Get-A-Member campaign, recruiting five new members can even cover your own annual dues.

Advocacy: Our Crucial Mandate

Advocacy is not just something we do; it is who we are. Our 2026 goals focus on:

• Nurse Advocacy: We are fighting for competitive salary assessments, expanded tuition support, and full practice authority for our CRNAs.
• Veteran Advocacy: We are standing firm against legislation that shifts the VHA from a provider of specialized care to a mere payer for private services, ensuring our Veterans don't lose the high-quality, integrated care they’ve earned.

I invite you to join us for 2026 Hill Day on March 19 to bring these issues directly to Capitol Hill. Together, we will ensure that the future of VA nursing—and the health of our Veterans—is guided by the expertise of those who know it best: you.

Thank you for your tireless dedication. Let’s make this year a turning point for our profession and our heroes.

Michelle Salazar-Rodriguez, NOVA President