Nancy Claflin, DNP, MS, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, CCRN-K, CPHQ, FNAHQ

NOVA’s Empower Mentorship Program is designed to guide a mutual relationship between an experienced VA nurse, a mentor, and a nurse who may be entirely new to the VA system, or transitioning into a new role. It is a framework for the passage of wisdom, caring, and confidence between the mentee and experienced VA nurses. The program is based on principles of adult learning with a focus on meeting the needs of the mentee.  The ultimate goal of this mentoring program is to contribute to the personal and professional development of VA nurses through relationships that are nurturing and supportive.

Mentoring is a reciprocal and collaborative learning relationship between two individuals with mutual goals and shared accountability for the success of the relationship. The mentor often serves as an expert guide to the mentee, allowing them to gain more experience in a VA nurse position. A good fit between a mentor and mentee occurs when mentors are both genuine and willing to disclose information about themselves and their experience. Mentees need to be open to accepting feedback and willing to learn more about themselves and their expected role.   

This relationship involves the mentee as an adult learner engaged in a life experience that presents new opportunities for growth and development. The quality of this partnership determines the true value of the learning experience. As adult learners, mentees assume responsibility for their learning and behaviors. As teachers, mentors act as guides and facilitators of learning. The partnership must be based on the belief that the learner is at the center of any significant adult learning activity. Learners must be involved in all phases of the learning process, which includes identifying needs, planning, participation, and evaluating the learning outcome. As facilitators of adult learning, mentoring is approached as a development sequence, requiring an awareness of the mentees’ learning needs and their stages on the learning curve.  In considering mentees as unique adult learners, mentors must be willing to make adjustments based on the mentees’ maturity and learning style. Effective mentoring becomes a continuous learning process that is a synthesis of events, experiences, observations, feedback, and analyses.

A successful mentorship requires willingness and skill in giving and receiving feedback. This is important for both the mentor and the mentee since one of the greatest learning opportunities occurs through the critique we give to and receive from others.  Both individuals must offer constructive feedback, positive and negative, to assure that common needs and goals are being met. They need to know how the other is doing in the relationship to determine their future direction. It is most helpful the mentor and mentee agree on how to give each other feedback earlier in the relationship.

Mentoring doesn’t just happen. It involves a significant expenditure of time and energy from both the mentor and the mentee. Successful mentees are willing to assume responsibility for their learning and growth by seeking challenging assignments and opportunities. While they are receptive to feedback and coaching by the mentor, they also are willing to constructively give feedback.  If they are not receiving the feedback they need or desire, mentees must assert themselves and ask for it. The demonstration of accountability, or living up to promises and commitments, is important. Mentees learn to achieve a balance between their independence and reliance on the mentor. After spending time with a mentor, mentees often feel refueled and inspired to make a difference in their practice.

Mentors are willing and committed to assisting in the developmental growth of the mentee. This involves a reasonable amount of time and personal investment over an extended period. The time invested is well spent for both individuals and the VA as a whole. The mentor’s primary purpose is to help the mentee learn the ropes, their role, the political environment, and the culture of the VA in a formal, yet informal way. Frequent communication offering affirmation and support will help the mentee progress through the mentoring relationship. Mentors are the guides in establishing the criteria by which a successful relationship is developed and evaluated.  They create a warm and accepting environment that allows the mentees to control the relationship, while at the same time permitting the mentees to be themselves and voice relevant concerns and needs.  Mentors are personable, approachable, competent individuals who are committed to helping mentees achieve their success. 

If you are a new nurse, a nurse who is new to the VA system, a nurse who is transitioning to a new role in the VA system, or a nurse who would like help in professional development and achieving professional goals, fill out an application to request a mentor.  If you have worked in the VA for a year or more, know things now that you wished somebody had told you when you first started in the VA, like helping people, want to enrich your time in VA, want to help people navigate the sometimes confusing routes to career development in the VA, want to answer questions from VA nurses who would like help with a situation they’re encountering at work, want to help VA nurses start a NOVA chapter or make a NOVA chapter better, or want to make a difference, fill out an application to be a mentor. 

NOVA’s Mentorship program is designed to help you meet your professional goals.  NOVA members can take advantage of this program to pursue their goals related to professional advancement within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The program helps new NOVA members to connect with more seasoned members to benefit from their expertise and experience. It can provide mentees with specific assistance related to current needs and can help seasoned NOVA members not only serve as both mentors and resources. This can help meet requirements for advancement related to proficiency, education, evidence-based practice, and research, as well as professional development.  NOVA chapters can benefit from mentoring regarding chapter development and potential programs.  The Mentorship Program offers additional support for NOVA members providing excellent care to Veterans and family members.

Find information on NOVA’s Mentorship Program at this link: https://www.vanurse.org/page/Mentorship

Thelma Roach-Serry, BSN, RN, NE-BC

National NOVA Past President

NOVA News Editorial Committee Member

Central Virginia VA HCS, Richmond, VA

NOVA Chapter 420

Cheryl D. Winston, MSN, RN, FNP-BC

Ms. Cheryl Winston is a family nurse practitioner with the Central Virginia VA Healthcare System. She has been employed at the McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia for more than 20 years. Her fascination with the VA began as a child when her father introduced her to his work environment. He retired from McGuire after 35 years of service.

Cheryl began her nursing career with the VA after graduating as an LPN from the Richmond Technical Center in 1992. After which she began working on 4D, a Medical-Surgical unit. Since then, her educational matriculation has included obtaining her BSN from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia in 2001 and MSN from The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia in 2012.

In addition to working as a staff nurse on 4D, Cheryl worked in the Emergency Room and Home-Based Primary Care. Currently, she is employed as a board-certified family nurse practitioner in the Neurology Department - Sleep Medicine division. She and her colleagues treat Veterans with dyssomnias (the collection of sleep disorders that negatively impact the quantity and quality of sleep). She is passionate about this field of medicine, and is enthusiastic and committed.

Ms. Winston’s most outstanding professional accomplishments include her academic advancements and implementing interventions that have led to positive impacts for our Veterans. These achievements have produced measurable outcomes that effect Veterans at both an individual and aggregate level.

Cheryl's professional goals include the promotion of access to care and enhancement of patient satisfaction. She is intent on providing seamless, timely and culturally sensitive care.

On a personal note, Cheryl enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising, horseback riding and participating in various health care ministries.

Cheryl personifies the words of President Abraham Lincoln which have become the VA's motto to continually, "Care for him who have borne the battle."

Kelly D. Skinner, DNP, APRN, NP-C, GNP-BC, CRRN, WCC, CFCN
VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA
NOVA Chapter 226

NOVA Scholarship Program Recipients

Congratulations to three of the 2021 NOVA Scholarship Program recipients: Anastasia Aryee, Marsha Charlton and Melissa Elliott. Anastasia received the $3000 Nursing Scholarship in honor of Catherine J. Rick. Marsha received the $1500 Nursing Excellence Scholarship in honor of Jesse Brown. Melissa Elliott received the $1500 Nurse Emeritus Academic Scholarship in honor of Mary Raymer.

Left to Right: Anastasia Aryee, Marsha Charlton and Melissa Elliott

NOVA Chapter 226 Event

NOVA Chapter 226 was honored to host a NOVA Chapter Event on December 7, 2021 at One Bistro in Norwood, Massachusetts. It was a fun filled evening with an educational presentation entitled: “Understanding the Chronic Wound Continuum:

The Nurses Role in Real Wound Healing, Biofilm Based Wound Management, and Organogenesis Portfolio” and a NOVA Chapter 226 Membership Meeting. 

Top Row Left to Right: Nancy Connors, Sandra Zsikla, Laikyn Nadeau, Marsha Auguste, Sandra Terry, Darlene Hanley, Nancy Brooks, Kelly Skinner, Valentina Ward, Patrick Hill, Kattie Davis, Anastasia Aryee, Ellen Mitchell, Jared Schultz, Diane Maloof, and Maureen Boggie

Bottom Row Left to Right: Julie Szegda, Nacha Pierre, Theresa Presley, Gilda Cain, Danielle Newman and Garline Raymond

Left to Right: Danielle Newman, Julie Szegda, Valentina Ward, Kelly Skinner, Theresa Presley, Nacha Pierre, and Anastasia Aryee

Left to Right: Patrick Hill, Darlene Hanley, Nancy Brooks, Sandra Zsikla, Nacha Pierre and Theresa Presley

Retirement 

Laura Clemente-Padial, RN, served as the Transplant Referral Coordinator at the VA Boston Healthcare System. She worked at the VA for 39 years and four months before retiring in December 2021. Cindy Tibert, BSN, RN, is now the Transplant Referral Coordinator. Congratulations to Laura and Cindy!

Left to Right: Laura Clemente-Padial, Theresa Presley, Laura Clemente-Padial, Laura Clemente-Padial and Cindy Tibert

Specialty Certification

Congratulations to Meriele Goaga, BSN, RN, CRRN for passing the Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) certification exam. Meriele works on A2, the acute spinal cord injury unit at the VA Boston Healthcare System.

Meriele Goaga, BSN, RN, CRRN

Thelma Roach-Serry, BSN, RN, NE-BC

National NOVA Past President

NOVA News Editorial Committee Member

Central Virginia VA HCS, Richmond, VA

NOVA Chapter 420

Laura Bostic, MHA, RN

NOVA Nurse Emeritus

Laura Bostic has had a wonderful nursing career and remains active with the profession. She graduated in 1980 with a BSN from Eastern Mennonite College in Harrisonburg, Virginia and later obtained her Masters in Health Administration from Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Her nursing career started at the Kings Daughters Hospital upon graduation from her BSN program. In 1988, she joined Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. Laura excelled in her nursing practice and in 1991 she was selected as the nurse manager of the Neurosurgery and ENT inpatient unit. Years later, she retired after serving as a nursing coordinator for the medical center.  Throughout her career she was involved in special events for nurse recognition.  

When interviewed, Ms. Bostic stated, “There are many reasons that a nurse should come to the VA. Tuition assistance is available for nurses who want to further their education, the benefits are good, and there are opportunities for advancement and to be involved.” 

Ms. Bostic currently resides in Stuarts Draft, Virginia where she is active in her local community and church. In addition, she maintains active memberships with the American Nurses Association, Virginia Nurses Association – Central Virginia Chapter, NOVA, and local NOVA Chapter 420. She has been actively involved with these professional nursing organizations through the years, serving in various capacities from secretary to chapter president. She is currently serving as NOVA Nurse Emeritus Committee Co-Chairperson.  

Ms. Bostic encourages all VA nurses to join NOVA – “NOVA provides an opportunity to earn CEUs, network and meet nurses from every state. The annual meeting allows our members to visit other parts of our country and at the same time get our CEs”.

Laura Bostic serving as a judge for Excellence in Nursing Research
VA Richmond, Virginia

Laura Bostic serving as a WON Program Leader 2

Dear NOVA Members,

It is hard for me to believe that in approximately 1 month, I will be completing my term as NOVA President. It has been a great 2 years of personal and professional growth. 

I recall joining NOVA 22 years ago, and at that time I was content to just attend  the NOVA Chapter 226 meetings at the VA Boston Healthcare System. That all changed in April 2008 at the NOVA Annual Meeting when I decided to elevate my nursing practice and step out of my comfort zone. I was walking to the Boston Public Garden with NOVA Past Presidents Ceci McVey and Joan Clifford. We had volunteered to help out with the scavenger hunt, the team building activity during the conference. On that walk, Ceci and Joan suggested  that I should consider running for Director on the national NOVA Board. That is all it took…a suggestion  from  two leaders who I respected. I ran for Director and was elected. From that day forward, I continued to seize the opportunities that existed for growth and development in NOVA, and it was too fun to stop.

At NOVA’s Annual Meeting in Miami, Florida in October 2019, I provided remarks as the Incoming Board President at the awards luncheon. It was 2 months before I was to assume the role as NOVA President, and I shared Lisa Haisha’s quote: “Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader. They set out to make a difference. It is never about the role. It’s always about the goal.” This quote still resonates with me today, and as I reminisce about my journey; I know that our achievements would not have been possible without so many of our members stepping forward to contribute in many ways. Therefore, I challenge each of you to step up and get involved. NOVA is the voice of VA nurses, and our organization can only be as great as its members and those willing to be involved. We are stronger together.

Please enjoy this video that captures the highlights of my term as NOVA President.

Though my term as President is ending soon, I will transition into the role of Immediate Past President, with confidence and look to NOVA’s future, as I pass the torch to TJ Wilcox-Olson. Through her leadership, the dedication of the national NOVA board, and our members’ ongoing engagement and volunteerism, I know we will continue to further the mission of NOVA to educate, communicate and advocate for the Department of Veterans Affairs nurse professionally, personally and legislatively.

In closing, it has been my honor and privilege to serve as the President of NOVA. I am grateful that you believed in me, giving me the strength to step out of my comfort zone. My journey has been rewarding and a lot of hard work, but I have truly enjoyed my time serving as President and feel very fortunate to have had this opportunity. I want to thank each of you as I could not have done this without all your support and encouragement. 

With appreciation, 

Kelly D. Skinner, DNP, APRN, NP-C, GNP-BC, CRRN, WCC, CFCN