TJ Wilcox-Olson, MHS, RN

NOVA President-Elect

VA Portland Healthcare System

NOVA Chapter 332

Have you ever wanted a member from NOVA’s Board of Directors to present on NOVA’s membership benefits to your chapter and facility? Look no further! The NOVA Board of Directors is available to provide virtual presentations on the advantages of being a member of a professional nursing organization.

Over the last year we have all had to get creative since travel has been restricted and face-to-face meetings extremely limited. In June 2021, Tomah VA’s Transition to Practice (TTP) program invited NOVA President-Elect TJ Wilcox-Olson to speak about NOVA and the benefits of joining a professional nursing organization. Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, the TTP residents were divided into two separate groups and TJ presented virtually to each group. TJ shared NOVA’s “Top 5” which includes information on the education NOVA provides members, certification and education partnerships and discounts, mentorship, networking, and advocacy. Based on feedback received from these presentations, NOVA is extending this opportunity to all chapters. 

NOVA’s mission is to educate, communicate, and advocate for VA Nurses professionally, personally, and legislatively. Being a member of a nursing organization is important for every nurse’s professional growth and continuous learning. NOVA is made up of a diverse group of nurses from across the country and ensures VA nurses are at the table when important decisions are made. By sharing information about all that NOVA has to offer, the organization can continue to flourish and offer even more to members.

If your chapter is interested in hosting a presentation, please reach out to nova@vanurse.org.

NOVA’s Advanced Practice Registered Nurses discuss the reasons why they chose a career at the VA, and share the day to day difficulties of working at a VA clinic.

Choosing Nursing 

For Cathy Wogamon, DNP, FNP-BC, CWON, CFCN at the Lake City VAMC, nursing has always been in her heart and working at the VA was always part of her plan. 

“My father was a Purple Heart WWII recipient,” Wogamon said. “My clinic wall is full of pictures of family and  those ‘like-family’, including my nephews who are currently serving. I love serving  Veterans who served our country and appreciate all their service for our freedom.”

The decision to go into nursing was unexpected for Karen Boenig, MSN, APRN, ANP-BC at the VA Boston Healthcare System. Originally, she was accepted into the pre-med program, but switched to nursing before starting her freshman year at Boston College.

“I started volunteering at the VA Boston Healthcare System when I was 14 years old and continued until I went to college. My plan was to work at the VA for one year to get medical-surgical experience and go work at one of the Boston area hospitals. But I loved the VA so much and after 37 years I am still there. 

Kelly Loven, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC at the VA Central Western Massachusetts, always knew she would go into nursing.

“I am a third-generation nurse in my family,” Even while playing sports in high school, I was the one who provided the ace wraps in our small town school.”  I chose the VA because I wanted to give back to those that have served. When entering the VA  there is always a ‘hello’ or a ‘thank you’ from a Veteran.” 

Tackling Tough Days

Being a nurse is not just about medical procedures or tests. It’s about being there for your patients on tough days and helping them get better. One of the ways Wogamon helps Veterans through tough days is by simply listening. 

“Active listening is very important in the clinic, often a Veteran needs someone to listen more than any medical care we can offer.  Spouses who have lost their Veteran have called to thank us for our care and to share a moment of their own grieving. There have been  tears, laughter, and other emotions shared and I plan for that to continue throughout my service to the Veterans.” 

“One of the Veterans who was scheduled to see me was stuck in his wheelchair on the lift of The Ride. The Ride is a paratransit service that the Veteran used for transportation to his primary care appointment. His wife came into the VA and told me what had happened. I went out and saw the patient in the parking lot, so he didn't miss his appointment.”

Memorable Days

Despite having tough days, there are times that are memorable and rewarding. Loven realized on her first day at the VA that she had made the right choice. 

“I immediately knew it was a great decision for me. I remember thinking to myself everyone smiles, says good morning when passing by, and how appreciative the  Veterans are. It is a great feeling and not always felt in the private sector,” Loven said.

Wogamon remembers being overwhelmed running the Wound and Ostomy Clinic on her own. 

“I was unsure at times if I was doing all I could for my patients. I remember a Veteran who came back to me and said, ‘I want to thank you for saving my leg.’ I felt like I was where I was needed, doing what was needed”. 

Impact of NOVA

According to Loven, NOVA helped her in different ways as a new member. “NOVA  helped me understand the VA through mentorship, webinars, and education … I love that  the members become a family and support each other.”

For Wogamon, NOVA gave her the opportunity to network with other VA nurses and share information and words of encouragement with them. “I especially valued my NOVA membership during COVID. It was nice to be able to hear from other nurses around the country who were serving on the frontlines and to have a connection when it seemed like so many things were disconnected.”

Registration is now open for the NOVA 41st Annual Meeting. Held in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 21-22. Meet other NOVA nurses from around the country. Click here for more information.

Ashley Lovelace

Membership Coordinator

NOVA

Have you added your personal email to your account? If not, no worries, we are here to help! Just follow the simple steps below to add your personal email address to your NOVA account.

Step 1: Sign in to www.vanurse.org. Using your NOVA username and password. If by chance you do not remember them, you can email nova@vanurse.org to have them reset.

Step 2: After signing in, locate the “My Profile” box on the top right corner of your page. Once located click “Manage Profile”.

3. After clicking the “Manage Profile” link. Locate the “Information and Settings” box at the top of the web page.

4. Once located, click the “Edit Bio” link.

5. You should be brought to your “Edit My Member Profile” page.  Locate the “Email Address and Confirm Email” fields. If these fields have your va.gov email listed, this is incorrect. Please replace it with your personal email address. 

*Note: These two fields should match. Your profile WILL NOT UPDATE if the fields do not match.

6. Once your email address has been updated, scroll to the bottom of the webpage. Click “Save Changes”. Once saved your Member Profile will be automatically updated to reflect the new email address.

All updates can be made at any time once a member logs in to the NOVA website. If you have any questions, you can email nova@vanurse.org to help with managing your profile.

Teresa Morris, Director, Advocacy & Government Relations

Greetings NOVA Members –

It has been a busy July – NOVA submitted testimony to both the House and Senate VA Committees on pending legislation. 

Bills discussed at HVAC hearings would enhance CPE tuition and fees (HR 3693, VA CPE Modernization Act), improve the hiring and onboarding process (HR 3027, Veterans Improved Access to Care Act), require an independent assessment of health care delivery and require VA to make certain information available on a public facing site (HR 2775, VA Quality Health Care Accountability and Transparency Act), this includes staffing/vacancies, wait times, and quality of care data.  

The Senate VA Committee hearing included a bill “Department of Veterans Affairs Provider Accountability Act which requires VA to comply, verify and review all documentation for any healthcare provider working or employed by the VHA. It also addresses provider accountability within the VHA and proper reporting to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) and State Licensing Boards (SLBs). NOVA commented that we strongly support updating policies and procedures and verifying credentials and licensure as oversight and accountability are important in any healthcare system. We provided some of our thoughts on how to strengthen the bill’s language.

NOVA testimony can be found on the website: Congressional Statements & Letters (vanurse.org)

As we move towards August and Congressional recess work period, I challenge all of you to take some time to meet with your Members (House and Senate) to discuss some of these issues and other critical VA issues important to you and NOVA. All House of Representatives and Senators have offices located in the District/State and should be hosting Town Hall meetings as well. Check their individual websites for COVID-19 guidance and when they will be available to meet.

It is a great time to get in front of your members and find out what they are planning for the month while they are home working. Also, take note of any members in your state that sit on the House and Senate VA Committees as they have jurisdiction over all VA issues.

For US House of Representatives: Homepage | house.gov

For US Senators: U.S. Senate: Senators

NOVA has provided a step-by-step “How To” schedule a meeting guide on the website.

2021_scheduling_a_meeting_wi.pdf (ymaws.com)

Schedule a Meeting with Your Member of Congress (vanurse.org)

Some of the issues NOVA has been actively involved include discussing pay caps, equity and the need for a review of staffing levels pre and post COVID. Recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals is our highest priority – especially in high-cost areas where shortages may affect timely access to high quality care for Veterans.

For copies of NOVA letters of support sent to the Hill, visit the NOVA website. 

For a list of our complete 2021 legislative priority goals: 2021_nova_legislative_priori.pdf (ymaws.com) 

Stay Tuned!