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Posted By Ashley Lovelace,
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
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Teresa Morris, Director, Advocacy & Government Relations
Greetings NOVA Members –
We are nearing the end of the 116th Congress with less than a few weeks left of what may be a lame duck session. Unable to get funding cleared for FY 2021 (which began October 1) Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through December 11.
The bill will extend current funding levels (FY 2020) for all federal agencies, but another stopgap measure could become necessary if the lame duck Congress decides to punt on line-by-line funding measures in the weeks immediately following the election. As a reminder, the House has passed 10 of the 12 annual spending bills, and the Senate has yet to approve any of its bills, even at the committee level.
In other news, the House passed several Veterans bills which had cleared the VA Committee in late September. Three of the bills contain provisions to enhance mental health and combat suicide among Veterans – a top priority for both House and Senate VA Committees. NOVA commented on several of the bills and provided our thoughts on provisions we believed should be part of any package. Unfortunately, none of the provisions were included in final language, but we intend to continue advocating for these critical issues in the 117th.
NOVA’s thoughts on legislation can be found on our website at: https://www.vanurse.org/page/congressionalstatements
A list of the bills and all VA Committee legislative activity can be found on the HVAC website: https://veterans.house.gov/
As we inch closer to the 2020 Election, NOVA continues its
Get Out the Vote campaign. I hope all of you have had a chance to look at your State information on the websites we provided as part of the informational campaign. Stay tuned to our social media for more in the coming weeks leading up to November.
I would also like to take this opportunity to ask any NOVA member who is interested in advocacy and policy and helping us move our agenda and priorities forward to consider joining the NOVA Legislative Committee. As we enter into a new Congress (117th) in January, we will need individuals to help us develop our annual legislative agenda and priority goals and help to educate other members on the best way to advocate for the VA Nursing community.
A call for new members will be going out soon with more information and details about the committee.
Stay Tuned!
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Posted By Ashley Lovelace,
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
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Bridget Keefe, BSN, RN
VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA NOVA Chapter 226
Bridget Keefe, BSN, RN
Bridget Keefe is a full-time nurse on nights in the Surgical ICU at the West Roxbury Campus at the VA Boston Healthcare System. She is a graduate of Norwich University’s Nursing Program of 2018 where she received her commission as an Officer into the Army. Bridget is a U.S. Army First Lieutenant Nurse with the Massachusetts Army National Guard and serves as a Medical Treatment Platoon Leader within the 182nd Area Support Medical Company. During the Commonwealth of Massachusetts crisis, she was placed on active military duty with her National Guard unit to support the patients impacted with the Virus at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. The virus devastated the elderly residents, and The National Guard was tasked to deliver care, establish protocols to help control the spread of the virus, and provide acute care to the patients. From March through August 2020, Bridget oversaw 60 Army and Air Force medics, and 20 Army and Air Force nurses and 8 military Doctors. She filled the role of Acting Night Shift Supervisor at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, implementing training to both military and civilian personnel on the new policies and procedures to control the COVID-19 outbreak. She assisted the Infectious Disease administration in creating a PPE policy, COVID testing policy, aerosol medication administration policy, End of life COVID management policy, and COVID patient transfer policies. “When we first got to the Holyoke Soldiers Home, we were told we would mostly be assisting in nutrition repletion and assisting the staff in any way we could. It quickly turned into us filling in roles as nurses, nursing assistants, and administration personnel along with the decimated Holyoke Soldiers’ Home staff due to the severity of the COVID outbreak within the facility. As soon as we walked in the facility, we were 100% invested with the Soldiers’ Home Staff in doing whatever we could to take care of and support these Veterans and their families.” Bridget took this opportunity to put her nursing skills and military leadership to use by also serving as a Day Nurse Supervisor to the Holyoke Soldiers Home. She coordinated scheduling and staffing for the units, implemented education and training for staff, continued to facilitate end of life measures, implemented infectious disease policies, as well as coordinated family visitation and computer “FaceTime” meetings with the use of iPads donated by the Military Friends Foundation. “COVID-19 definitely showed how strong and versatile nurses are as well as how critical they are throughout the healthcare field. We wear many hats, as I quickly learned during the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home mission. I am thankful I had such a strong support system with my National Guard unit and my amazing co-workers at the VA continuously checking in with me, giving me the guidance and support needed during these very trying times. I realized how much I have learned from serving as a VA Nurse. The mentoring and teaching I received from our great VA healthcare professionals allowed me to make a difference. It gave me the tools I needed to accomplish our mission, and make sure the patients that recovered from the virus, and those that we kept from becoming infected, were protected and received the medical attention all patients and Veterans hope for when entering a medical facility.” 
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Posted By Ashley Lovelace,
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
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NOVA Past Presidents
NOVA is proud to recognize and thank the following Past Presidents for their tremendous service to NOVA and VA Nurses. 
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Posted By Ashley Lovelace,
Monday, September 21, 2020
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Every year since 2008, Congress proclaims a Saturday in December as National Wreaths Across America Day. This year, on Saturday, December 19, 2020, NOVA will be helping Arlington National Cemetery to Remember and Honor our Veterans by sponsoring Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes. Please help us honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible by sponsoring remembrance wreaths, volunteering on Wreaths Day, or inviting your family and friends to attend with you. 2020 Theme: Be an American Worth Fighting For Inspired by Staff Sgt. Daniel Strong and his keynote address during the 2018 escort to Arlington at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School (Monty Tech), located in Fitchburg, MA. As an infantryman in the Marine Corps, he lost 18 Marines during his service, three were his friends when he was a Lance Corporal, six as their Squad Leader, and the remaining nine as their Platoon Sergeant. SSgt. Strong's raw emotion was felt by all on that cold December day, as he spoke about his strong conviction to teach his JROTC students to exemplify, on a daily basis, the Wreaths Across America mission. “Be an American worth the sacrifice. In your daily operations, and in how you deal with one another and how you live your life. Those young men and women who are in Arlington National Cemetery and other cemeteries, they earned the right for you to be an "American worth fighting for.” Order online through the direct link to the NOVA page by November 30th https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/NJ0179P - Click Sponsor Wreaths
- Select the # of wreaths to sponsor
- Add other options (grave specifics, etc.) as desired.
- Complete checkout process with credit/debit card or PayPal. Be sure to verify that NOVA’s group ID: Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs and location ID: Arlington National Cemetery are indicated on your order prior to submitting. Thank you so much for supporting the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs and Wreaths Across America!
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Posted By Ashley Lovelace,
Monday, September 21, 2020
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If you plan to retire from the VA within the next six months, please consider joining as a NOVA Nurse Emeritus Member. https://www.vanurse.org/page/join
GOVERNANCE
The Nurse Emeritus Group is composed of NOVA members who have retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs or who are planning retirement within the next calendar year. The Group is an established group within the Nurses Organization
of Veterans Affairs (NOVA) and, as such, adheres to all policies and practices as governed by the Bylaws of NOVA.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Nurse Emeritus Members exist to support the mission and vision of NOVA through continuing engagement of nurses who have retired or have immediate plans to retire from active employment in VA.
The Nurse Emeritus Group:
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Seeks to recognize and value the expertise of retired VA nurses through projects that support the working VA nurses and the Veterans they serve.
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Strives to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of retired VA nurses through positive affirmation programs and projects.
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Participates in projects such as NOVA membership promotion and fundraising efforts to support nursing scholarships.
The dues for NOVA Nurse Emeritus members are $50 per year.
NOVA is welcoming Nurse Emeritus applications.https://www.vanurse.org/page/join
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Posted By Ashley Lovelace,
Monday, September 21, 2020
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Dear NOVA Members,
National Leadership Day is celebrated on September 4th. It is a day to recognize leaders who strive to make the world a better place; those who add value to the lives of the people they serve.
In August 2020, prior to National Leadership Day, I attended the virtual conference, Nursing Alliance Leadership Academy (NALA): Educating Leaders in Nursing, with several national NOVA board members: TJ Wilcox-Olson, Ruth Holmes, Terry Acosta, Thelma Roach-Serry, Cathy Giasson, Betty Ogren, and Deb Dupnik. It was a great opportunity to develop and enhance our knowledge and skills related to governing and leading an organization effectively. Presentation topics included: “Leading with Joy”, “Leading Successful Virtual Meetings & Conferences”, “Legal & Financial Stewardship for Association Leaders”, “Leadership Styles in Times of Crisis”, “Developing an Effective Board-Executive Director Partnership”, “Coping with the New Reality as Leaders (Mental Health), and a “Virtual Sip, Laugh & Chat Closing Session”. The information presented on effective volunteer governance leadership was very valuable. I also enjoyed learning how to concoct the Mint Julep, a Kentucky classic; it was a fun way to end the program.
I came away from the NALA conference energized and inspired, but I recognize that actually staying inspired and energized after the conference isn’t so easy. Let’s face it. Leadership is hard work. Leaders are supposed to set the standard for work ethic while inspiring others to give their best. Feeling pressed for time, like there aren’t enough hours to do everything you want to do, is a reality. Everyone is so busy with personal and professional commitments these days, but having a healthy work life balance in order to maintain performance, efficiency and professional welfare is essential. In honor of National Leadership Day, I would like to acknowledge some of our NOVA Nurse Leaders who deserve recognition. They serve in a variety of roles such as a VA Medical Center Director, VA Associate Director, Patient Care Services/Nurse Executive, Director on the national NOVA Board, Chairperson of a national NOVA Committee, and NOVA Facebook Administrator. See the photos below. These NOVA Nurse Leaders are LPNs, RNs, and APRNs who work in a variety of clinical settings and wear multiple hats. Not only are they functioning in numerous leadership positions, but they are also involved in a variety of professional nursing activities and volunteer opportunities. Through ambition and resilience, they are consistently pursuing greater goals. To all our NOVA Nurse Leaders, thank you for your leadership and vision. These are unprecedented times, and the fact that you continue your ongoing efforts at the local, state and national level advancing the profession of nursing to ensure Veterans receive the quality care they deserve is commendable. Stay safe and healthy! With appreciation, 
Kelly D. Skinner, DNP, APRN, NP-C, GNP-BC, CRRN, WCC, CFCN
NOVA Nurse Leaders
VA Medical Center Director and ADPCS/Nurse Executives 
National NOVA Board of Directors
National NOVA Committees Chairpersons and Facebook Administrator
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Posted By Ashley Lovelace,
Monday, September 21, 2020
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Sometime between the week of NOVA’s Annual Meeting (October 25-31, 2020) and Veterans Day complete your 5K. That’s just 3.1 miles. You choose how you want to complete those miles - running, skipping, dancing, jogging, walking, swimming. You can do it all at once or break it up over a few days.
SUPPORT A WORTHY CAUSE
Support VA nurses by joining this fun experience to raise money for NOVA educational opportunities such as nursing scholarships.
Each year NOVA’s Nurse Emeritus members champion the Mary Raymer Memorial Scholarship Fund
. Monies raised this year will help to honor Mary Raymer’s contributions to NOVA and provide funds to a deserving nurse to offset educational expenses.
REGISTRATION COSTS
1-3 participants $40 per person
$99 for every group of 4 (save $15.25 on each). All medals will be shipped to one location.
Every participant will receive a medal.
REGISTER NOW! https://www.vanurse.org/page/NOVAVirtual5k
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Posted By Ashley Lovelace,
Monday, September 21, 2020
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Vanessa Coronel, BSN, RN
VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA
NOVA Chapter 226
NOVA Nurse Karen Flaherty started her federal service career in 1988 as a postal carrier and worked there for 19 years. After her children were grown, she pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. At age 42, Karen began nursing school and in 2006, obtained a nursing degree from Quincy College in Massachusetts. Wanting to continue her federal career, she attended a job fair where she met NOVA President Kelly Skinner and Nurse Recruiter, Regina Bauzys. “I just happened to be at the right place at the right time,” Karen said.
Karen’s father was a Veteran so caring for those who have sacrificed for their country has a special place in her heart. As a new graduate, she started working at the VA on the Spinal Cord Injury Unit. Karen knew that this was a great opportunity to give back to the Veterans and enhance her nursing skills. After working on the acute spinal cord injury unit for 6 years, she transitioned to Endoscopy where she specializes in motility procedures. To help diagnose gastrointestinal orders, Karen places probes in a patient’s nasopharyngeal area - a highly-specialized skill that requires knowledge of anatomy and techniques to place the probe with precision, accuracy and minimal discomfort to the patient. She has been in this role for the past eight years.
Joanne Hill, BSN, RN, MM, CGRN
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in March 2020, Karen accepted her nurse manager’s suggestion to be one of the first COVID-19 testers for VA Boston. Her nurse manager, Joanne Hill, who is also a NOVA member, believed that due to Karen’s highly-specialized skill set, she could teach other testers on how to conduct nasopharyngeal tests (nasal swabs) the proper way. “I really did not fear for my safety. In the back of my mind, I knew that there was always a risk of exposure but we have the appropriate personal protective equipment,” Karen said. “I am confident that VA Boston will not put me in a situation where my safety will be compromised. I know that the virus is highly contagious and deadly but if we do things right then there should be no fear. I was concerned but I was not fearful.” As of today, Karen has been free from COVID-19 infections.
The VA’s fourth mission is to provide service to Veterans in times of national emergencies and disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The VA Boston Healthcare System assisted by providing care to Veterans and civilians in the community, therefore, Karen participated in numerous off-site COVID-19 testing. “If the Veterans cannot come to the VA to get tested then we go to the Veterans to deliver this service,” she said. Along with her team, Karen swabbed Veterans at the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home, just outside of Boston, as well as at other Veteran nursing homes in Eastern Massachusetts.
“The most meaningful moment of this experience was when we visited Chelsea Soldiers’ Home,” Karen said. “This was our most vulnerable Veteran population. Due to their age and multiple comorbidities, they would have the worst outcomes if they got infected. They were too weak to go out to get tested. We went to all the Veterans' rooms and got them tested so they could get the appropriate care as soon as possible if they came back positive for COVID-19. It was sad and joyful at the same time. Although the Veterans were vulnerable, we gave them a sense of control by bringing the tests to them. This was a way that we could serve them at the height of this pandemic. It shows our commitment to serve those who have served.”
“People are very anxious and fearful if they get COVID-19. It affects everyone on many levels -- it can affect your livelihood, personal safety and those of their loved ones. It is very satisfying when Veterans and employees come to me and thank me.” Karen said. “They are happy that they are negative so they could go on with their lives. They also thank me when they come back positive so they can quarantine immediately and have a plan in place if their symptoms got worse. Knowledge is power -- knowing if you are COVID-19 positive or negative gives you some sense of control even if we currently do not have any cure or vaccine for COVID-19.”
When Karen was asked to describe her worst experience, she shared that, “Back in March, we had days when it was very cold. With the low wind chill factor, we were out in the tent freezing. Sometimes, it would rain and our shoes got wet,” Karen said. “We are nurses so we improvised “MacGyver-style” and taped the tent in order to continue to conduct the tests despite the freezing temperatures and rain. I am grateful for being a mail carrier. It prepared me to do my job in the COVID-19 testing tent. It taught me to be ready and be very tolerant for whatever the weather may be. Hey, I did it for 19 years and 7 months. Freezing for several hours is no big deal for me.”
In terms of safety, a nurse testing for swabbing must be prepared. “Learn the right way by using evidence-based practice and wear the right PPE. Practice, practice, practice, Karen said. “Explain every step to the patient. Let them know what they will feel and assure them that the discomfort will only last for a few seconds”, Karen said. “Give them emotional support as needed. We need to be cognizant that a lot of our Veterans have PTSD. We need to take it slow, explain every step slowly and allay their fears. Sometimes kind words and a gentle approach to show that you care goes a long way.”
“Good bedside manners matter. As a nurse, show your patients that you care,” Karen said. “Experience is wisdom. What you learned from your past career and what you develop as your professional values will show no matter where you are- as a nurse, a teacher or a mail carrier. “People are resilient,” she adds. “Working at the height of the pandemic as a COVID-19 swabber made me learn a new level of compassion due to the uniqueness and magnitude of the pandemic.”
Karen continues to swab Veterans and VA employees while teaching nurses, medical students and physicians how to conduct a nasal swab test for COVID-19. As of August 6, 2020, Karen has swabbed over 3,000 people but who’s counting?
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Posted By Ashley Lovelace,
Monday, September 21, 2020
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Kelly D. Skinner, DNP, APRN, NP-C, GNP-BC, CRRN, WCC, CFCN
VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston MA
NOVA Chapter 226
NOVA Chapter 226 Member Spotlight
NOVA Chapter 226 members are constantly going above and beyond related to professional achievements. Their successes include pursuing certifications, higher degrees, job promotions, and accredited educational training programs. Our members are invested in pursuing professional development opportunities to ensure continued growth in their nursing practice. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the following NOVA nurses: Vanessa Coronel, Melinda Shackelford, Jennifer Carolan, Peter Russo, Katie Potenzone, Nadege Jean, and Kelly Resendes for their recent accomplishments.
Training and Certification Recognition
Vanessa Coronel is the Nurse Manager of the Outpatient Specialty Clinics, West Roxbury/Jamaica Plain. She met the qualifications of a VA Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and received a corticate from Air Academy Associates in August 2020. Being Lean Six Sigma certified entails that the individual has been trained in Lean Six Sigma principles of increasing efficiency, streamlining processes and reducing wastes in organizations. Blackbelts have a thorough understanding of the define, measure, analyze, improve and control model leading to successful process improvement initiatives. Ms. Coronel’s Six Sigma project was entitled: Offering Veteran Flu Shots As a new service in the VA Boston’s Outpatient Specialty Clinics, this project has led to a return on investment of $1.2 million in terms of preventing diseases by promoting immunizations among 50,000 Veterans.
Melinda (Mindy) Shackelford serves as a Nurse Manager of the Outpatient Specialty Clinics, Lowell/Bedford. On August 12th, 2020, Mindy passed the Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) examination. This VA-approved certification is sponsored by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. The certification exam is based on the core competencies needed to be a successful nurse manager and leader: exemplary clinical expertise in managing and leading people, managing business, and personal leadership development. Melinda has already demonstrated excellent leadership skills during her stint as nurse manager for the outpatient clinics. However, the knowledge acquired while preparing for this professional certification will enhance her leadership skills into her managerial role in the specialty clinics.
Kudos to Vanessa and Melinda!
Job Promotion Recognition
Jennifer Carolan was selected for the Assistant Nurse Manager position on 7-2-C, the Hospice and Palliative Care Unit at the Brockton Campus. She became a registered nurse in 2010. Jennifer worked in the acute care inpatient hospital setting until transferring to Hospice in 2012. She has experience in Home Hospice and Inpatient Hospice. Jennifer became certified in Hospice and Palliative Care in September 2015. She shared, “My Dad, a Vietnam Veteran, received all of his care at the VA since approximately 2008, until he passed away in 2014. I was very familiar with the VA Boston before starting my career here as a staff nurse on 2N, the Cardiac Unit at the West Roxbury Campus which became a COVID Unit in May 2019. On July 6, 2020, I was very pleased to become the Assistant Nurse Manager of 7-2-C. I’m hoping with my many years of Hospice/Palliative experience, I will be a great asset to an already well-established unit where the staff undoubtedly shares my passion for caring for our Veterans at End of Life.”
Peter Russo was selected as the new Nurse Manager for the outpatient Operating Room at the Jamaica Plain Campus on August 17, 2020. He is currently serving as the Assistant Nurse Manager for the Operating Room at the Jamaica Plain Campus and will officially assume the Nurse Manager role in October 2020. Peter is an Army Veteran who served his country in Iraq from 2006-2007 with the 399th Combat Support Hospital. He received a master’s degree in Nursing Leadership from Framingham State University. Peter functioned as the Nursing Clinical Lead on the Incident Management Team (IMT) during the COVID-19 Pandemic and worked extensively on N-95 fit testing at each campus. He is a member of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN).
Katie Potenzone just became the Nurse Manager for A2, a 24-bed acute care spinal cord injury unit at the West Roxbury Campus. Prior to this, she was the Assistant Nurse Manager for the unit. Katie completed her senior practicum in nursing school on A2 where she found her passion for caring for the spinal cord injury population.
Katie began her career at the VA at the Adult Day Health Program housed within the Chelsea Soldiers Home. Wanting to pursue her passion for spinal cord injury, she took a staff nurse position on 81B, the long-term spinal cord injury unit at the Brockton Campus. Ms. Potenzone graduated from Boston College in 2019 with a master’s degree in nursing and obtained the Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Jennifer, Peter, and Katie, best of luck to you in your new management positions!
Academic Degree Recognition
Nadege Jean graduated in 2008 from Harmony Institute in New Hampshire, and received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Barry University in Florida. In June 2020, Nadege passed the boards and possesses a RN license. Nadege was hired at the VA Boston Healthcare System as an LPN in July 2020 on Unit 81B, the long-term care spinal cord injury unit, but is in the process of converting to a RN position on the this unit. She brings her experience in adult medicine, urgent care, and OB/GYN to this position. Although Nadege didn’t have experience in spinal cord injury, she demonstrated a positive attitude and was more than willing to learn the fundamentals related to spinal cord injury nursing. During orientation, she reported, “I feel very lucky that I was hired by the VA and am able to care for the Veterans.”
Kelly Resendes started at the VA Boston Healthcare System in September 2016 as an LPN in the Community Liv
ing Center (CLC). She was an LPN for 8 years before becoming an associate degree prepared RN in 2018. Ms. Resendes transferred to Unit 81B, the long-term care spinal cord injury unit in 2019, and still works there.
Kelly has 10 years of nursing experience in geriatric psychology and acute rehabilitation. She worked in Visiting Nursing and Community Care for 3 years. In addition, she currently works per-diem in a hospital in the community. Kelly admits, “I have learned and seen a lot during my nursing career. I feel I have acquired the necessary skills so I am not fearful in any medical situation.”
In May of 2020, Ms. Resendes graduated with a BSN (GPA of 3.8) from Bay State College while working full time.
Congratulations, Nadege and Kelly!
National Leadership Day
National Leadership Day is observed every year on September 4th
. Happy National Nurses Day to some of the NOVA members who are Nurse Leaders at the VA Boston Healthcare System!
NOVA Chapter 226 Raffle
The NOVA Chapter 226 Board is excited about NOVA’s virtual 40th
Annual Meeting. The chapter conducted a raffle to add some fun, generate attention, build interest and promote this event. Nurses can enter to win a free conference registration ($150 value) by purchasing 1
ticket for $5 or 3 tickets for $10. Since fundraisers are prohibited at VA facilities, communication and participation is being done electronically using our members’ personal emails on non-VA devices. The
deadline date of September 16, 2020 is quickly approaching. The winner will be announced in NOVA News
next month. Stay tuned!
Nephrology Nurses Week
Tina Stafford has been a dialysis nurse for over 30 years and a NOVA Member for 15 years. Tina shared, “I love working with, educating and forming bonds with dialysis patients and their families.”
Katie Judd has been a dialysis nurse for 7 years, certified for the last 4 year. She has worked at the VA for
5.5 years and a NOVA Member for 2 years. Her membership lapsed and she rejoined in 2019. According to Katie, “Dialysis patients attend treatment three time per week, often we see our patients more often than our own families. The bonds we make are incredible. Dialysis is a unique field. It is one of those areas of nursing where you either love it or hate it. I am blessed to be able to say I love it!”
Hector Rivera
has worked at the VA for 33 years. He has been a NOVA member for as long as he can recall. Hector commented, “I like to be a dialysis nurse because it gives me the opportunity to make a difference
in someone's life every day.”
National Rehabilitation Week
NOVA Chapter 226 would like to recognize the NOVA nurses at the VA Boston Healthcare System who are certified in rehabilitation. Thank you for your dedication to providing rehabilitation services to our Veterans.
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Posted By Ashley Lovelace,
Monday, September 21, 2020
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Ernestine L. Goode, MSA, BSN, RN, CRRN, CBIS Former Chief Nurse, Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders/Polytrauma Central Virginia VA Health Care System, Richmond, VA NOVA Board Director, Nurse Emeritus
Ernestine L. Goode, MSA, BSN, RN, CRRN, CBIS is serving as a Director on the national NOVA Board, It is official…she is now the Former Chief Nurse, Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders/Polytrauma at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System and is a new NOVA Nurse Emeritus. Her tenure with the VHA spans over thirty-three years, beginning in 1987 until she “dropped the mic” on June 30, 2020.
Ernestine began her nursing career as a Licensed Practical Nurse on a Stroke Rehab and Community Placement Unit. She later moved in 1989 to the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)., where she was awarded a Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Scholarship to return to school to eventually obtain a Registered Nurse license. Ernestine worked full time while in nursing school and obtained a nursing diploma in 1993 from Southside Regional Medical Center in Petersburg, Virginia. She worked on the three units in Spinal Cord Injury over seven years and then transferred to Critical Care in 1995, while pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Ernestine obtained a BSN in 2000 from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
After working in Critical Care for seven years, Ernestine moved into management in 2002. At this time, Ernestine was pursuing a Master’s Degree in Administration, with a minor in Health Services Administration. She obtained her Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University in 2002. Her first management position was as Nurse Manager, House Staff Clinical Resources and the Outpatient Blood Lab, where she had oversight of the inpatient and outpatient services. Ernestine assumed her next management position, Nurse Manager, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in 2004. Later, she moved to Primary Care as a Case Manager in 2005. In 2006, Ernestine became the Nurse Manager of the Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Unit-1U where she worked until 2016; and became Chief Nurse of the Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders/Polytrauma. In this capacity, she served as the Chairperson of the Nurse Professional Standards Board, Licensed Practical Nurse Standards Board, and the Nursing Assistants Standards Board.
In 2017, Ernestine received the NOVA Excellence Award and was elected to the Director position on the national NOVA Board. In her role as NOVA Director, she is currently serving as Chairperson of the NOVA History Committee. Ernestine is responsible for retaining, organizing and preserving NOVA’s historical records. Her retirement plans include advocating for racial justice by being involved with the eradication of systemic racism. Ernestine, may this next chapter of your life bring you endless time to do what’s most important to you!  Celebrating Ernestine’s Retirement
Tags:
but never stop nursing.
Enjoy retirement
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