NOVA has been working tirelessly for over 45 years fighting for proper care of our Veterans and VA nurses nationwide. Our members have made huge strides working directly with the federal government paving the way for VA nurses to access better pay, benefits, education and more. History teaches us that NOVA membership is essential for Veteran care. We invite you to join our efforts so together we can define the moment today for what our VA nurses and Veterans deserve.

The Top 10 Moments That Redefined VA Nursing:

• The Cadet Nurse Bill, HR 2663 was initiated by a NOVA nurse, Angela Bohannon and the Topeka NOVA Chapter, and signed into law by President Reagan.

• Thanks to NOVA Congress passed a law giving VA nurses Saturday premium pay, tuition reimbursement, and recruitment and retention bonuses. It also required that the Chief Nurse be on policy making and fiscal committees in the facility, and that VA completed a study of recruitment issues.

• NOVA realized a significant accomplishment with the passage of the Nurse Pay Act of 1990, establishing a system of competitive pay for VA nurses allowing local VA medical centers to offer salaries competitive with those offered by other health care facilities in the same local market.

• NOVA worked to get PL 102-585 signed into law which revised nurse pay grade schedules, provided the authority to carry out surveys of labor markets in determining rates of compensation for healthcare professionals, including nurses; and revised the basis for calculating compensation of health care positions.

• NOVA accomplished a legislative priority with the Veterans’ Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 which overturned a 50-year-old law restricting full time RN employment outside the VA.

• NOVA and all VA RNs scored tremendous legislative victory with PL-106-419, the Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000 which addressed pay issues affecting RNs, dentists, PAs, social workers, and pharmacists; impacted veterans’ benefits and authorization, mandated increased nursing input in senior management at VISNs and medical centers, and reformed the RN locality pay system. The locality pay changes included: cost-of-living increase; significant survey reform; oversight of medical center director RN salary decisions with authority to modify those decisions, and required annual nurse staffing reports. It also required VISN directors to consult senior nurse executives for patient care policies.

• Thanks to NOVA, President Bush signed the Veterans Affairs Health Care Improvement Act of 2001 (PL 107-135) into law. The act permanently authorizes the Employee Incentive Scholarship Program (EISP) for nurses, reduces the time nurses need to work at VA before they are eligible to receive a scholarship, and removes limits to the amount of money nurses can receive from VA for school, as long as that amount isn’t more than the equivalent of three years of full time study. The act also permanently authorizes VA’s Education Debt Reduction Program, which allows VA to help pay for nurse schooling, up to a total of $44,000.00, with the Secretary able to adjust that amount if needed to coincide with federal pay increases. It also mandates that VA provide Saturday premium pay to Licensed Practical Nurses; gives VA nurses enrolled in the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) the ability to use unused sick leave as part of their retirement calculations, and requires the Secretary and Under Secretary for Health to establish a nationwide policy on nurse staffing standards for VA medical facilities. The legislation also requires the Secretary to evaluate nurse-managed clinics and determine whether they are feasible in the future, and to submit an annual report on what the DVA is doing to keep experienced nurses. The top VA nurse in Central Office reports directly to the Under Secretary for Health, another recognition of the importance of nurses in our health care system. It exempts RNs, physicians, and some dental technicians from the government wide requirement that part time government service performed before April 7, 1986, be prorated in calculating their retirement. It establishes a National Commission on VA Nursing.

• NOVA scored a significant legislative victory with the passage of Senate Bill 1156, the Veterans Health Care, Capital Asset, and Business Improvement Act of 2003 which improved appointment and promotion processes, requiring input from VA nurses and expanded Saturday premium pay.

• NOVA scored a significant legislative victory with Senate Bill 2484 which simplified pay provisions for physicians and dentists, authorized alternate work schedules (three 12-hr tours of duty for full time, work 9 months & get 3 months off; authorized executive pay for nurses from $10,000-$25,000), and required VA to certify to Congress that each VA has a policy designed to prevent nurses working more than 12 consecutive hours or more than 60 hours in a week.

• NOVA launched a series of educational webinars free to NOVA members and became am accredited provider of Nursing Continuing Professional Development credits through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).NOVA launched the program to assist NOVA nurses in writing self-assessments for promotion.

To learn more about NOVA’s impact on Veteran care, listen to our recent podcast episode featuring two nurses who stand at the forefront of NOVA’s mission!

Join NOVA today and stand up for better Veteran care.

Heard on the Hill 
September/October 2025 

We are officially in a government shutdown after the Senate failed to secure the sixty votes needed to pass a continuing resolution (CR) to fund agencies before the September 30 fiscal year (FY26) deadline.

VA’s advanced appropriations mean Veterans healthcare and benefits will continue unaffected, but concerns remain about potential layoffs if the shutdown continues for any length of time - many reports have noted the Administration's willingness to continue downsizing agencies. 

I urge all of you to continue your advocacy on behalf of VA and let your congressional members know what you need to take care of Veterans. Remind them about NOVA’s opposition to bills that will drain VA of its internal services.

Get to know several bills NOVA is monitoring that have been frequently discussed during this session. H.R. 740/S. 275, the “Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025.” These companion bills contain provisions which, if enacted, may significantly affect future veterans' access to VHA health care and services.

NOVA is advocating against several harmful provisions in the bill that would:

1. Allow a veteran’s “preference” for the first time, to automatically afford eligibility for community care. This would erode the VHA’s organizing foundation, which may eventually lead to changes in its staffing levels, in-house programs, and facility operations.
2. Permit veterans to access private sector healthcare without VHA referral, pre-authorization, or oversight that will also alter the integrated care model of the VHA, shifting its primary function from a provider of healthcare to a payer for private sector services.
3. While the intention is to vastly expand veterans’ preference and choice, these changes reduce healthcare options for many veterans when specialized VHA programs and facilities are scaled back or closed.

Removing the VHA as the authorizer of care may eventually decrease available choices for veterans. As funds shift to the private sector, some veterans—particularly those with service-connected conditions who depend primarily on the VHA—could face fewer opportunities to select VHA services if essential units and programs are discontinued.

The bill cost would also drain internal VHA accounts – risking privatization of many VA services.

As we move into the final months of the first session of the 119th Congress, I encourage all of you to call your congressional offices and let them know that NOVA opposes the ACCESS Act as currently written.

Your voice is critical during this extraordinary time. VA faces many changes, but one thing remains certain – it is where most Veterans choose to receive their care.

For information on the ACCESS Act / statement for the record, here is an article published by the Veterans Healthcare Policy Veterans-ACCESS-Act-VHPI-analysis-2.15.25.pdf

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. 

In 1990, Noreen Sommer was the first NOVA President to meet in the offices of the first Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Secretary Edward J. Derwinski. She expressed the dedication of NOVA and VA nurses to the quality care of veteran patients. Another historic moment occurred when NOVA was honored by Chairman G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Chairman Montgomery presented NOVA with a Red Line copy of the Nurse Pay Act of 1990. This red lined copy is a framed ceremonial, limited edition of the first and last page of the bill as signed by House Speaker Thomas Foley, President Pro Tempore of the Senate Robert Byrd, and President George Bush.  In February, 1991 President Noreen Sommer submitted NOVA’s testimony on the Fiscal Year 1992 Budget to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs.  Her testimony emphasized the importance of VA health care as a most basic need for our nation’s veterans and that inadequate VA appropriations have jeopardized the quality and quantity of VA health care.  NOVA’s Eleventh Annual Meeting was held at the Crystal City Marriott Hotel April 18 – 20, 1991. Dr. James Holsinger Chief Medical Director, VHA, opened Legislative Day with a brief outline of VA goals and priorities: 1) Health care for veterans, 2) Education, 3) Research, and 4) Back up for the Department of Defense. Dr. Holsinger viewed the VA as exchanging some acute care beds for more long term care beds in the future, and stated that the VA has the opportunity to “blaze the trail of care for the elderly.” Yvonne Moody MSN RN, Deputy Director, VA Nursing Service, highlighted the pilot project being conducted at 21 VA facilities aimed at eliminating shift rotation, and discussed multiple and continuing efforts of implementing the VA Nurse Pay Act and of enhancing the leadership role of VA nurses. Over 80 members, representing 18 states, visited their Congressional representatives, including members of the VA and Appropriations Committees. Rhetaugh Dumas PhD RN FAAN planted seeds for NOVA’s strategic planning when she gave the keynote address. Dr. Dumas is currently a member of the VA Commission on the Future Structure of Veterans Health Care.  The recipient of NOVA’s Barbara Chambers Award was Verdelle B. Bellamy, Associate Chief, Nursing Home Care Unit, Atlanta VAMC, for her long and distinguished service to NOVA.  She completed her service to NOVA as the last remaining member of NOVA’s first elected board.  The recipient of the Professional Nurse Award was Margaret Kruckemeyer, Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Dayton VAMC, for her sustained professional excellence.

Nancy Claflin DNP MS RN NEA-BC CENP CNEcl CCRN CPHQ FNAHQ
Chair, NOVA Education Committee

NOVA provides live webinars every month and the webinars are available on the NOVA website after the presentation.  NOVA is in the third year of our three year Caring for Veterans Program.  The webinars in this program provide information on veteran healthcare topics to help VA nurses care for Veterans.  They are especially helpful for new nursing graduates and nurses new to the VA.  These webinars make excellent additions to nursing orientation and transition to practice programs.  

In the next few months, NOVA is presenting webinar topics specifically designed for VA nurses.  If you can’t see them live, watch them on the NOVA website.  Webinars are scheduled at 12:30pm ET.   On August 14, Carol Ebert MA BSN RN CHES CWP will present “Exhausted No More! ‘Waking Up’ to New Science on Why You Can’t Sleep and What You Can do About it.”  On August 21, Michella Savoy-Carter MSN RN-BC CDCES will present “Primary Care Virtual Diabetes Clinic.” On September 4, Samantha McCandless MSN RN CEPC will present “Suicide Prevention Strategies.” On September 16, Beth Waters BSN RN CCRN PHN will present “Pathway to Healthy Work Environment:  HRO Journey Benefits All.”

As a NOVA member, you can register for a webinar, and then schedule a room in your facility to show the webinar.  You can send an email from your private email address to VA nurses with information about the webinar.   You can also post flyers on bulletin boards to let people know about the webinar.  Have people sign an attendance sheet, and send it to nova@vanurse.org after the webinar so people who attend can receive an evaluation and a continuing education certificate as NOVA is also an accredited provider of nursing continuing development credits (NCPD).   

Remember that you can always access webinars on the NOVA website.  Clinical topic webinars currently available include:  A Look into VA Community Care; Acute Pain Management;  Adjustment Disorders; Addressing Homelessness and the HUD-VASH Program; Aromatherapy in Nursing; Breast and Cervical Screening Updates; Caring for Veterans with Rehabilitative Needs; Eligibility for VA Care, Compensation, and Pension; Empowering Seamless Transitions:  Enhancing Care Coordination Through the VA Consult Toolbox; Gulf War Illness; Hospice and Palliative Care; Military Sexual Trauma/Intimate Partner Violence; Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation; Phototherapy; Providing Equitable Healthcare for LGBTQ+ Veterans; Safe Patient Handling; Substance Use Disorders; Suicide Prevention Strategies; VA Community Care Quality Improvement Program Train the Trainer:  Veteran Specific Population; Veterans Justice Outreach; Visually Impaired and Blind Veterans and Blind Rehabilitation Services; What is PTSD and How Do You Address it with Veterans?; Whole Health, Caregiver Support Program; and Wound Care.  Professional development webinars currently available include:  Evaluating Your Self-Assessment for Promotion to Nurse II with Educational Waiver,  Evaluating Your Self-Assessment for Promotion to Nurse III, and SAAs, SAPs, Nurse Safety Proactive Personal Protection, and Cash Awards.