Welcome to the 119th Congress. NOVA will continue to advocate on behalf of all nurses working at the VA. We released our 2025 Legislative Priority Goals on January 7, 2025; the press release and list of priorities can be found here.
The goals focus on funding, staffing, recruitment & retention with an emphasis on sufficient on-time funding to allow the ongoing hiring of healthcare staff and ensuring any legislation or funding of community care does not impede the superior care VHA offers to Veterans. We also ask that all community providers be required to have comparable quality and training standards equal to VA providers.
Goals under recruitment and retention include:
1. Reviewing staffing levels and hiring in all settings so that VA can deliver timely access for all Veterans seeking care.
2. Ensuring salary surveys are performed annually for all nursing workforce (APRN, RN, LPN, LVN) so that VHA remains competitive in local markets, and support and revise qualifications and pay levels for LPNs.
We will continue to partner with our Labor, Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), and the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) to strengthen the nursing profession and to build a strong workforce for the future.
Just a few final notes on the 119th Congress: House and Senate VA Committee members will be released this month, as well as Budget and Appropriations Committees and Subcommittees. These are the leaders who will decide the agenda policies, and hearings for VA as well as FY2025 & FY2026 funding.
I remind all of you of the importance of your advocacy and influence as the most respected profession. As nurses what you say matters and educating your lawmakers – both House & Senate – as to what you need to provide timely access to high quality healthcare is critical.
I ask you to join us in Washington D.C. for our Annual Hill Day on Thursday, March 20, 2025. You can register here.
We will meet with members of the new Congress and remind them that VA remains the only Federal health system that provides the highest level of coordinated care. VHA also trains 70% of U.S. doctors as well as providing critical research that helps not just Veterans but the population at large.
We are always looking for more members to help us advocate and be a part of the NOVA Legislative Committee. If interested, please contact me at tmorris@vanurse.org.
Keep advocating for yourselves, Veterans, and the VA System!
Posted By Cathy Giasson, DNP, MHA, RN, NE-BC, CPHQ,
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Dear NOVA members,
In October NOVA held the 44th Annual Conference, which was another great success! I would like to recognize and thank the Chairpersons of the NOVA Annual Meeting Planning Committee: TJ Wilcox-Olson and Jessica Tynan as well as all the committee members. Over the past year they worked diligently to ensure that an informative and memorable two-day event took place to educate nurses.
NOVA values the ongoing relationship and communication with the VHA and Office of Nursing Services. Thank you for your leadership, expertise, and willingness to present at NOVA’s 44th Annual conference. Dr. Jennifer Strawn delivered a townhall and spoke on the strategic planning and future of VA nursing. NOVA thanks Dr. Heather Arrendondo for always keeping NOVA nurses informed on Nurse Qualification Standards and the changes over the past year.
We hope to see you in Nashville, TN for the 45th Annual Conference!
I encourage you to start planning for our next event. NOVA on the Hill Day, which will be held on March 20, 2025. Meet with your representative in the House or Senate and let them know what impacts your work as a VA nurse on a daily basis and what they can do to help improve Veteran care. This is your opportunity to support NOVA’s mission of advocating for the Department of Veterans Affairs Nurses professionally, personally, and legislatively.
This past year NOVA has been working to rebrand our organization and ensure we are delivering what our members need. Please take a few minutes and navigate our new webpage and make special note of NOVA’s new logo!
Not only are we rebranding but NOVA is reaching out to members to see what we can do to increase your benefits and ensuring success of your local chapter. We are here to support each and every chapter no matter how large or small. Reach out to NOVA headquarters and let us know how we can help you! nova@vanurse.org
Best Wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season. See you in 2025!
Posted By Nancy Claflin,
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
On October 9-10 NOVA presented its 44th Annual Conference at the Hilton in Virginia Beach, VA. The Mayor of Virginia Beach, Bobby Dyer, and the Acting Director of the Hampton VA Walt Dannenberg welcomed NOVA members to the 44th Annual Conference. Representative Jen Kiggans, a fellow nurse and Veteran, spoke to NOVA nurses during the morning’s first keynote session.
Emily Larimer MSN BA RN spoke on "Donation and the VHA: Strength to Strength" and Joan Clifford DNP RN spoke on "Our High Reliability Journey: The Critical Role of Leadership, Psychological Safety, and Just Culture." Katherine Allen BSN RN presented "Phototherapy" and Joellene Skoog led the attendees in a Meditation Exercise. Heather Arredondo DHA RN VHA-CM Associate Director Policy, Legislation, and Professional Standards ONS presented "Keys to Success for Nurse Promotion Consideration and Annual Evaluation," and Dr. Jennifer Strawn DNP RN NEA-BC Executive Director ONS presented "Nursing Town Hall." Ahnnya Slaughter DNP CNS-BC RN-C presented "Nurse Safety," and Megan Rumzie DNP MBA CNL RN HNB-BC presented "Innovation."
Podium presentations were done by Andrea Kossoudji MS MBA RN AMB-BC "Empowering Nurses to Serve Veterans with Military Environmental Exposures," Elizabeth Edmiston PhD RN "Empowering Nurses in Research (ENIR): A VANEOHS Initiative," and Lawrence Rasca MSN RN CRRN CNRN SCRN CCRN "High Five in First Five: Achieving Excellence in Code Resuscitation." Lawrence Lemos DNP RM NEA-BC presented "Caring for Patients with Cognitive Impairment," and Beth Waters BSN RN CCRN PHN presented "Pathway to Healthy Work Environment: HRO Journey Benefits All." The closing session was a Legislative Panel moderated by Teresa Morris, NOVA's Director of Advocacy and Government Relations.
Members of NOVA's Legislative Committee met after the conference Wednesday at Murphy's.
At the Awards Luncheon, NOVA's awards were presented by Past President TJ Wilcox-Olson MHS RN CPHQ and President Cathy Giasson DNP MHA RN NE-BC CPHQ. The APRN Excellence Award was presented to Jennifer Moseley DNP FNP-BC VA Boston HCS NOVA's RN Excellence Award was presented to Marva Griffin RN and accepted by Lynette Short) Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC. NOVA's Veterans Service Award was presented to the Arizona Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (AzPVA) and accepted by Morgan Brown, PVA) . NOVA's Poster Winners presented were (1) Lawrence Rasca-Baltimore (2) Jennifer Eubanks and Jennifer Mason-Lexington (3) Judy Santelices Washington DC & Members of the DC Chapter.
NOVA 2024 Scholarship Recipients are as follows:
Nursing Leadership Scholarship in Honor of Catherine J. Rick - Kelly Loven MSN RN FNP-BC CEN
Veterans Advocacy Scholarship in Honor of Anthony J. Principi - Joe Domen, RN
Nursing Excellence Scholarship in Honor of Vernice Ferguson - Kamala McGee MSN RN MBA-HC CNML (Durham)
Commitment to Serving Veterans Scholarship in Honor of Jesse Brown - Lyn Sheperd DNPs MSN RN
Nurse Emeritus Academic Scholarship in Honor of Mary Raymer - Namrata Patel RN
NOVA Special Event Winners:
NOVA Bingo Winners were Sheila Arrington-Washington DC and Orkie Bradley-Kansas City
NOVA Icebreaker Winners with Sonia Thurman-Washington DC and Jennifer Moseley-Boston
NOVA thanked the sponsors & exhibitors! Ruby Sponsors: AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Genentech. Platinum Sponsor: Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Gold Sponsors: Attends, Post University. Silver Sponsors: AstraZeneca, Taiho Oncology, Cytokinetics. Bronze Sponsors: Agiliti, Aurie, Ascendis Pharma, BeiGene, DSS, Federal Benefits, Issio, Johnson & Johnson, Promedtek, Tranquility, Merck, Organogenesis, Recon Supply, Renegesis. Symposia Sponsors: Johnson & Johnson, PeerView. Exhibitors: Right at Home, University of Colorado College of Nursing, Alkermes.
Save the date: NOVA’s 45th Anniversary Conference will be held in Nashville, TN from October 21-23, 2025.
Posted By Nancy Claflin,
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Mentoring in nursing began with the development of the nursing profession. Florence Nightingale was referred to as the mentor of matrons, which is what nurses were called at that time. NOVA’s Empower Mentoring Program was launched in 2016 by the NOVA Education Committee working with two Jonas Scholars, Shanina Knighton and Natalie Myers and has been revised every year since that time. NOVA developed the Empower Mentoring Program to help NOVA members meet professional goals and pursue dreams related to professional advancement within VA. Goals of NOVA’s Mentoring Program include developing supportive and encouraging relationships in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and guiding NOVA nurses in professional, personal, and interpersonal growth. The program is designed to guide a mutual relationship between an experienced VA nurse who is the mentor and the mentee. Nursing mentors assist less experienced nurses to understand their profession and advance their careers. Mentoring programs have demonstrated significant benefits for both mentors and mentees, including sharing knowledge, expertise, and skills. Mentors develop improved interactive listening skills, and mentees develop analytic problem-solving skills.
NOVA mentors have identified the rewards of helping mentees including feeling valued, adding value to your career, creating an opportunity to give back, learning while teaching, creating lasting relationships, satisfaction in seeing mentees achieve goals, satisfaction in seeing chapter leaders make a plan to increase their membership, helping someone learn the VA system, and the ability to impart knowledge and see the mentee grow professionally. NOVA mentees identified rewards of the mentoring program including having someone who listens and gives advice, having someone to guide a career, gain knowledge and helpful tips, receiving help with the annual proficiency self-assessment, having a sounding board for advice, being encouraged to think outside the box, feeling supported, feeling challenged, having somebody to explain the VA, being able to ask questions from someone outside your VA and VISN, and getting advice from someone who is really smart and has a lot of VA experience. The mentoring program is reviewed annually in December, with both mentor and mentee making a decision regarding continuing the program.
Should you ask for a mentor? Ask yourself the following questions: Would you like help navigating the VA system, developing supportive and encouraging relationships, guidance in professional, personal, and interpersonal growth? Would you like to connect with seasoned NOVA members to benefit from their expertise and experience? Would you like specific assistance related to current needs? Are you willing to complete the program requirements and work with a mentor to achieve your goals? If the answer to any of those questions is yes, request a mentor.
Should you become a mentor? Ask yourself the following questions: Have you worked in the VA for a year or more? Do you know things now that you wished somebody told you when you first started in VA? Do you like helping people? Do you want to enrich your time in VA? Do you want to help people navigate the sometimes confusing routes to promotion and career development in the VA? Do you want to answer questions from VA nurses who would like help with a situation they’re encountering at work? Do you want to help VA nurses start a NOVA chapter or help make a NOVA chapter better? Do you want to make a difference? If you answered yes to any of these questions, sign up to be a mentor.
Posted By Teresa Morris,
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
As we continue to tally up election results – a few House races have yet to be called at the deadline for this issue, it is a wonderful time to thank all of you for your advocacy and continued work supporting NOVA and those who care for Veterans.
Just a few final notes on the 118th Congress: It held over 150 hearings related to VA/Veterans and introduced more than five hundred Veterans bills with minimal policies clearing both House and Senate.
In recent years, instead of passing singular bills, larger Veterans packages (omnibus) containing provisions from many bills are put together which makes it a bit more difficult to reach an agreement, not to mention securing the votes to pass both House and Senate.
As I write this, this year’ omnibus package of Veterans bills included in the “Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, is still being negotiated. NOVA, alongside our partners, objected to a couple of provisions that we believe could erode internal funding and further jeopardize the VA healthcare system. The bill could pass if said provisions were modified to have clearer guardrails for community care providers seeking to join or remain part of the VA network.*
We continue to advocate for the inclusion of these guardrails and things to help healthcare providers within the VA- staffing, recruitment, and retention benefits.
I remind all of you of the importance of your advocacy and influence as the most respected profession. As nurses what you say matters and educating your lawmakers – both House & Senate – as to what you need to provide timely access to quality healthcare is critical.
I ask you to consider joining the NOVA Legislative Committee for 2025 and to meet us in Washington for our Annual Hill Day on March 20, 2025.
We will meet with members of the 119th Congress and remind them that VA remains the only Federal health system that provides the highest level of coordinated care. VHA also trains 70% of U.S. doctors as well as providing critical research that helps not just Veterans but the population at large.
You can volunteer for the Legislative, or any NOVA committee, here.
I have provided the links to both the House and Senate VA Committees so that you can review all hearings and legislation as we close out this Congress and move onto the next session:
Keep advocating for yourselves, Veterans, and the VA System!
*ALERT: On Monday, November 18, the House passed the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. The bill includes several critical provisions that will expand healthcare services and benefits for veterans.
Posted By Administration,
Monday, September 30, 2024
We had a grand time! Comedian Team Fred (US Army Veteran) was hilarious! The food was plentiful and delicious. Christopher Hancock, Chapter 418-Hampton and Nurse Emeritus Linda Droste, Chapter 420-Richmond were recognized for their phenomenal service to the VA and Veterans with Nursing Excellence awards. There were plenty of door prizes and DJ Juan kept us entertained and on the dance floor. Photographer Shawn Connors and his team captured all of the memories made throughout the evening. Thanks to everyone who attended, made donations and/or other contributions! What a night to remember! Kudos to both Chapter 418 and Chapter 420 for a wonderful GALA! Thank you to the National NOVA Board for donating 2-50% off giveways on the 44th Annual Conference and as a result we have two winners, Tamara King (418) and Claudia Kem-Bumbala (420).
Submitted by: Jacquelyn Claude, President of NOVA Hampton Chapter 418
Posted By Teresa Morris,
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Congress returned to DC earlier this month with a hectic schedule and many priorities. At the top of the list is passing a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal government open as current funding is set to expire September 30. October 1 is the start of the 2025 fiscal year.
Speaking of funding, there is a critical issue facing the Department of Veterans Affairs. In July, VA reported that they are facing a budget shortfall in both its VBA and VHA accounts. According to reports, For FY24 VBA has a $3 billion in disability compensation, pension, and education benefits shortfall and an additional $12 billion is needed for FY25 for medical care.
Congress - particularly the House and Senate VA Committees - have questioned how this happened and held hearings to hear directly from VA leadership on an explanation.
Over in the House, HVAC Chair Mike Bost deemed that “lack of accountability has caused the Department to completely lose control of its budgets and its information technology (IT) projects, which have ballooned in cost. This resulted in the $3 billion hole in disability compensation and education funding, and the $12 billion hole in VA health care next year. The VA “has no excuse” for failing to budget appropriately for the PACT Act.
Ranking Member Mark Takano focused on the importance of fully resourcing the VA’s in-house provision of care. He noted that the VA routinely outperforms the private sector in meeting Veterans’ needs, and it is cheaper than community care. He noted that unchecked growth of for-profit health care in the community will weaken the VA and eliminate Veterans’ choices.
The VSO community has come out strongly that VA must make this right which means Congress will have to pass a separate supplemental for both VBA and VHA to fill the gaps.
Senate VA Committee Members also questioned VA at their hearing (9/18). Asking why the supplemental was requested four months after the Administration submitted its proposed budget, and immediately after appropriators in the House and the Senate reported their bills, when it was too late for this to be included. Many voiced concerns about the funding shortfall caused by the VA’s miscalculations and called for greater transparency between VA and Congress. Others applauded the success of the PACT Act and acknowledged that it is bringing more Veterans into VA facilities., and research shows how much better the VA cares for Veterans than the community.
NOVA believes that it is important to prioritize Veterans care, and that funding must be evaluated and monitored for all accounts to remain solvent.
With limited time left on the legislative calendar, it does not look likely the omnibus or any substantial Veterans’ legislation will be passed. The House VA Committee continues to introduce bills, and NOVA alongside its partners at the American Psychological Association, Association of VA Psychologist Leaders, Association of VA Social Workers, National Association of Veterans Affairs Physicians and Dentist, and the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute submitted testimony to the Subcommittee on Health (9/11/24) which detailed our concerns with some of the bills.
As we move into the final months of the 118th Congress, we must continue to speak up and advocate by reminding policy makers that VA remains the only Federal health system that provides the highest level of coordinated care. VHA also trains many doctors as well as providing critical research that helps not just Veterans but the U.S. population writ large.
Posted By Nancy Claflin DNP MS RN NEA-BC CENP CCRN CPHQ FNAHQ,
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
NOVA’s Education Committee plans and presents webinars each month, including presenting programs as part of the three-year program of webinars on Veteran healthcare topics, the “Caring for Veterans” webinar series. VA nurses do an amazing job in caring for veterans every day and this series of webinars was developed to assist VA nurses in providing that care. The Caring for Veterans webinars are focused on providing information about veterans and veterans’ healthcare to new graduate nurses and nurses new to the VA and to all of the VA nurses who care for veterans every day. These programs provide an excellent foundation for nurses who are caring for veterans, and NOVA recommends that they be included in Nursing Orientation and Transition to Practice programs.
The three-year Caring for Veterans series includes twelve webinars presented each year. Each webinar provides 1.0 contact hour of Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) credit, and completion of each 12-month series, and all three series provide a certificate. Outstanding webinars were presented in 2023 and 2024 in the Caring for Veterans Program and on other topics. Webinars are scheduled at 12:30 pm EST time. Upcoming webinars include A Look into VA Community Care, Substance Use Disorders, Managing Holiday Stress, Polytrauma and Spinal Cord Injury Programs, Military Sexual Trauma/Intimate Partner Violence, and Evaluating Your Self-Assessment for Promotion to Nurse II with an Educational Waiver.
As a NOVA member, please register for the current webinars. You can also schedule a room in your facility to view a webinar. Communicate with Nursing Education and Education departments about the upcoming webinar and send an email from your private email address to VA nurses with information about upcoming webinars. You can also post a flyer in break rooms and/or on educational bulletin boards, etc. with information about the webinar. During the webinar, have people sign an attendance sheet with name and email address, and send that to nova@vanurse.org after the webinar so people who attend can receive an evaluation and a certificate for nursing continuing professional development credits. Share information on NOVA’s webinars including the Caring for Veterans series with your colleagues. Webinars are currently available on the NOVA website here.
NOVA’s Education Committee administers NOVA’s Empower Mentorship Program to help NOVA nurses meet professional goals, including professional advancement within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This program helps guide a mutual relationship between experienced NOVA members who serve as mentors, and mentees who benefit from their expertise and experience. This program provides resources to help meet requirements for advancement related to proficiency, education, evidence-based practice and research, and professional development. NOVA chapters can benefit from mentoring regarding chapter development and potential programs. Should you become a mentor? Have you worked in the VA for a year or more? Do you know things now that you wished somebody told you when you first started in VA? Do you like helping people? Do you want to enrich your time in VA? Do you want to help people navigate the sometimes-confusing routes to promotion and career development in the VA? Do you want to answer questions from VA nurses who would like help with a situation they’re encountering at work? Do you want to help VA nurses start a NOVA chapter or help make a NOVA chapter better? Do you want to make a difference? If you answered yes to any of these questions, sign up to be a mentor here!
Posted By Catherine Giasson, DNP, MHA, RN, NE-BC, CPHQ,
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
NOVA continuously invests in its board members to promote strategic vision. On August 24-25, 2024, the Nursing Organizations Alliance held their annual Nursing Alliance Leadership Academy in Louisville, KY. I had the pleasure of attending with President-elect Michelle Salazar-Rodriguez and Executive Director Gina Pileggi.
The Nursing Organizations Alliance provides this wonderful opportunity for board members of professional nursing organizations to learn about consistent, effective governance and leadership development. The content provides leaders the knowledge and skills to govern and lead their organization competently. Topics included financial stewardship, legal challenges, artificial intelligence, and communication to strengthen organizations. and this great educational opportunity will assist with increasing innovation and improve board performance.
With less than a month until NOVA’s 44th Annual conference, the planning committee has been very busy planning this year’s event. If you have not registered yet there is still time!
Come join us in beautiful Virginia Beach and learn about NOVA’s new strategic plan to continue strengthening NOVA and its mission. Presentations will include the keys to success for promotion, updates from the Office of Nursing Service, High reliability journey, nurse safety and innovation!
Posted By Celeste Dealino-Perez ,
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
The annual All Employee Survey (AES) highlighted the potential benefits of evidence-based mentors in our organization. It specifically identified areas for improvement, including nurse engagement, relationships with leadership, and work environments. Our overarching goal was to bolster our EBP proficiency through mentorship and a culture of shared governance, which will significantly enhance our nursing staff's work experience and engagement.
Recognizing the crucial role of our frontline staff in implementing EBP, we have taken a significant step forward. We have demonstrated our commitment to their professional development by sending eight members to the FULD immersion class. This intensive program, a testament to our dedication, focused on problem-solving methodologies that align with our organization's mission and goals, underscoring our commitment to enhancing their EBP proficiency and valuing their contribution to our organization.
The improvement project was initiated with the PICO question, 'Does the implementation of an evidence-based practice council using a shared decision-making model improve staff engagement, empowerment, leadership relationships, and work environment?' This question, crucial to our research process, was formulated and guided by the EBP council in a series of collaborative meetings, highlighting the importance of shared decision-making in our organization. CINHAL, PubMed, Cochrane, and Joanna Briggs were used to search for scientific studies, with key terms including participation, engagement, acceptance, and compliance.
A significant milestone in our journey was the design and implementation of a clinical inquiry tool. This tool serves as a direct line for staff to engage EBP mentors in clinical questions, using a systematic process for EBP research. The tool is conveniently located on the hospital intranet site. When a frontline nurse has a clinical question, they enter the information on the form, which is then forwarded to EBP council members. During the EBP council meeting, members evaluate and rate the evidence and send the results back to the unit council/nurse who inquired. Mentors work with staff to develop a PICO question and define the steps for research implementation. The tool's design has been effective, with 10 inquiries using the current intranet process. Dissemination of the use of EBP mentors through quarterly newsletter publication highlighting the changes will help increase awareness and usage of the EBP access point, paving the way for more evidence-based practice in our organization.
The AES survey called for improvement in nurse engagement in EBP. The establishment of the EBP council and mentors and an internet access point for clinical inquiry has already started to support nursing staff. The EBP council has provided a platform for staff to voice their concerns and suggestions, fostering a culture of shared governance. Through this platform, the frontline staff recognizes that changes in nursing practice can be realized by utilizing EBP mentors guiding this process, focused on clinical expertise, scientific research, and patient preferences and values. The internet access point has allowed staff to seek guidance from mentors on clinical questions, enhancing their EBP proficiency. These initiatives continue to build sustainable practices and develop lifelong relationships with mentors and staff.
Print Page
RSS
Download File (PDF)
Blog Home
All Blogs