Nurses Month is a time to stop and reflect on the work done you do every day in caring for veterans. At times this work is easily overlooked and taken for granted. But for the 22nd year Nursing has once again been selected as the most trusted profession.
Every day veterans place their care in your hands and VA trust scores continue to increase. You spend your day providing care to those who have defended our country whether it be for a day or for years. As NOVA nurses you are educators, innovators, leaders and at times family to the veterans you care for.
Recently I heard a new employee talking about working in the VA. She said that maybe we are not always perfect but it is our VA, we are a family and we have something that the community does not – we have a tenderness here at the VA. Her words made me pause and think about a few things.
As a VA system, as staff, and as nurses we are not perfect. Some days we struggle, some we feel drained as if we have nothing left to give to others. Some days are good and others not so good. Yet as nurses we come to work each day. Why? Because we are resilient, we are dedicated, because it is an honor to care for veterans and because we have a tenderness for veterans and each other that does not exist anywhere but in the VA.
I am not only proud to work at the VA but also to work with incredible NOVA nurses who strive to improve the care we deliver.
Take time this month to reflect on your passion for nursing.
Rejuvenate yourself this year by joining other NOVA nurses at this year’s annual Conference being held in beautiful Virginia Beach October 9-10th. Register here!
Posted By Nancy Claflin DNP MS RN NEA-BC CENP CCRN CPHQ FNAHQ Chair, NOVA Education Committee,
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
NOVA is in the second year of our 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. These programs are designed to provide specific information about veterans and veterans’ healthcare. The Caring for Veterans webinars are focused on providing information to not only new graduate nurses and nurses who are new to the VA but also to all of the VA nurses who care for veterans every day. These programs provide a wonderful foundation for caring for veterans, and NOVA recommends that they be included in Nursing Orientation and Transition to Practice programs. The three year 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 provides a certificate. Outstanding webinars were presented in 2023 and 2024 in the Caring for Veterans Program and on other topics. These webinars are currently available on the NOVA website. Upcoming webinars include “Infectious Disease Exposures Veterans Encounter” by Mercedes Moore CRNP; “Visually Impaired and Blind Veterans and Blind Rehabilitation Services” by Amy Wheeler MS OT CLVT CAPS; “Traumatic Brain Injury” by Chenal-Christine Roberts BSN RN; “Contacting Congress: Who and What You Need to Know for Success” by Teresa Morris BS; “Changes to the Promotion Process,” “Promotion to Nurse II with an Educational Waiver,” and Promotion to Nurse III” by Nancy Claflin DNP MS RN NEA-BC CENP CCRN CPHQ, FNAHQ.
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. The webinars are available on demand on the NOVA website here.
Posted By Nancy Claflin DNP MS RN NEA-BC CENP CCRN CPHQ FNAHQ,
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Mentoring in nursing began with the development of the nursing profession. Florence Nightingale was referred to as the mentor of matrons. NOVA has developed the Empower Mentorship Program to help NOVA nurses meet professional goals. NOVA members can take advantage of this program to pursue their dreams related to professional advancement within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This program helps guide a mutual relationship between with experienced NOVA members who serve as mentors, and mentees who benefit from their expertise and experience. Mentors are able to provide mentees with specific assistance related to current needs, including professional advancement and career development. This program also helps seasoned NOVA members by providing them with the opportunity to serve as mentors, and provide resources to help meet requirements for advancement related to proficiency, education, evidence based practice and research, and professional development. In addition, 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.
Membership surveys have identified benefits of having a mentor. These include having someone who explains the VA, and somebody outside your VA and VISN who can listen and give advice,. Mentors have provided guidance for a career, provided knowledge and helpful tips, helped with proficiency input, provided a sounding board for advice, encouraged thinking outside the box, and helped mentees feel supported as well as challenged. Mentees have identified that having a mentor means receiving advice from someone who is really smart and has a lot of VA experience.
There are also benefits for mentors. These include the opportunity of giving back, sharing your knowledge, expertise, and skills; having the ability to impart knowledge and see a mentee grow professionally. adding value to a career, and the satisfaction of helping a mentee. Other benefits include learning while teaching others, creating wonderful relationships, and helping someone learn the VA system. Mentors expressed satisfaction with seeing mentees achieve goals, and helping chapter leaders make plans to improve the chapter.
Should you ask for a mentor? 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 yes, request a mentor on NOVA’s web page.
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 on NOVA’s web page.
What a wonderful reminder of the hard work, compassion, and amazing care that all of you provide to our Nation’s Veterans. NOVA continues to advocate for that care as Congress debates legislation that will affect the Department of Veterans Affairs in the future.
I wanted to provide a brief list of bills of interest that are still in play until the end of the session: S.10 VA CAREERS Act- NOVA helped introduce and highly supports this bill – talking points can be found here.
S. 2649, Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act* H.R. 1315, The HEALTH Act* *Both bills look to improve VA healthcare by expanding access to care for veterans, safeguard veterans’ ability to choose their own providers and require VA to improve the quality of care veterans receive.
H.R. 542 Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act would address home care and caregiver programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. H.R. 3225/ S. 42 - Build for Veterans Act both bills address VA’s capital asset management, planning, and investment plans. H.R. 6324/ FY 24 VA Major Medical Facility Authorization – authorizes VA to conduct specified major medical facility projects during FY24. H.R. 6531, TRAIN VA Employees Act would require VA to develop a training program after consulting with heads of at least three other Federal Departments and agencies, including the Department of Defense, the bill looks to improve the performance of supervisors at the VA in helping employees excel and follow existing law and provide consistency throughout the agency when it comes to evaluating employee performance. H.R. 6538, VA Correct Compensation Act of 2023 would provide registered nurses and others at the VA access to negotiated grievance procedures to correct inaccuracies in their pay. AFGE, NFFE, SEIU AANA, DAV, PVA and the American Legion all support. H.R. 3347/S. 2070 – NOVA opposes this legislation as it would limit CRNA from practicing within VHA without a Physician. It also prohibits the VA from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the provisions relating to anesthesia care of the proposed rule titled Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (81 Fed. Reg. 33155), or any similar rule.
As we move into the final months of the118th, it is likely that some of the language /provisions from these bills will be included as part of an Omnibus Veterans Package which is being negotiated between House and Senate VA Committees.
Let us continue to speak up and advocate by reminding policy makers that you are “VA Nurses Fighting for Veterans and VA Healthcare.” The importance of the work you do taking care of Veterans is critical to VA remaining the highest level of coordinated care in the US.
There is always time to schedule a meeting with Congress and staff – I have provided the links to both the House of Representatives and United States Senate so that you can locate D.C. and District offices closest to you.
Posted By Catherine R. Giasson, NOVA President,
Monday, March 25, 2024
March was an active month for NOVA.
On March 7th NOVA nurses joined together to participate in NOVA’s Hill Day in Washington DC. Nurses participated in meetings with Senate and House Members and Staffers. NOVA’s 2024 legislative goals were shared and it was a time to deliver on NOVA’s mission of advocating legislatively for the VA nurses and the care we deliver every day.
NOVA’s legislative round table was also held on March 8th. Representatives from nursing organizations, Veteran Service Organizations, House and Senate staffers, Drs. Christopher Saslo and Karen Ott from the Office of Nursing Service joined the NOVA Board in discussing the legislative goals of NOVA and how we can all work together to achieve a strong Nursing profession and presence.
The NOVA Board meeting was also held in Washington DC. NOVA is moving in a great direction as the Board works toward a new strategic plan. Starting with changes in committee structure, the Board will become more efficient in its work and goals toward advocating for VA Nurses. If you are not currently serving on a committee, take a moment to look and see where you can help make the biggest impact. Join a committee today!
During this month we also celebrate NOVA’s Certified Nurses! Certified Nurses Day is celebrated annually on March 19th. Certification is a testament to your dedication to maintaining the highest standards of practice and staying abreast of advancements in your respective specialties. By obtaining and maintaining certification, you demonstrate not only your proficiency but also your passion for providing quality care to those in need. Take a moment to see the certifications NOVA has partnered with Certification Partners.
Posted By Nancy Claflin, Chair, NOVA Education Committee,
Monday, March 25, 2024
NOVA provides live webinars every month, and the webinars are available on the NOVA website after the presentation. NOVA is in the second 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. These programs are especially helpful for new nursing graduates and nurses new to the VA. They make excellent additions to nursing orientation and transition to practice programs. 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 certificate as NOVA is also an accredited provider of nursing continuing development credits (NCPD). In the next few months NOVA is presenting webinar topics specifically designed for VA nurses. On March 12, NOVA member Ahnnya Slaughter DNP RN-C CNS-BC will be presenting a webinar on Nurse Safety: Proactive Personal Protection. NOVA member Linda R. Droste MSN RN CWOCN CBIS will be presenting Legal Issues in Nursing on March 27. On April 11, Cynthia Martinez LSCW will present a webinar on Providing Equitable Healthcare: Caring for LGBTQ Veterans. NOVA member Talisha Hunter RN MSN will present The Impact of the VA Consult Toolbox: Decreasing Post Hospitalization Treatment Discharge and Wait Ties on April 30. On May 16, Rachel Sprunger will present What is PTSD and How Do You Address it with Veterans, and Christie Lucas LCSW will present Veterans Justice Outreach on May 20.
Remember that you can always access webinars on the NOVA website. Some of the webinars currently available include: Caring for Veterans with Rehabilitation Needs, Who and What You Need to Know to Advocate for VA Nursing, Maximize Your Federal Benefits and Win Retirement, Whole Health, Hospice and Palliative Care, Caregiver Support Program, Wound Care, Suicide in the Veteran Population, VA Community Care Quality Improvement Project, Eligibility for VA Care, Compensation, and Pension, Addressing Homelessness Through the HUD-VASH Program, Breast and Cervical Screening Updates, and COVID Vaccination and Mammography.
NOVA hosted its annual Hill Day this month (March 7) with over forty-five nurses coming into DC to advocate for VA healthcare and the nursing profession.
Speaking from our 2024 Legislative Priority Goals, NOVA nurses met with their congressional members and urged support for a strong budget to enable VA to continue providing timely access to high quality healthcare for Veterans. View a list of our Priority Goals.
As they walked around Capitol Hill all were wearing buttons noting “VA Nurses Fighting for Veterans and VA Healthcare,” to remind everyone of the importance of the work they do at VA facilities around the country. NOVA continues to strongly advocate for
a VA that provides the highest level of coordinated care in a setting that understands Veterans’ medical needs.
The NOVA Board met with VA House and Senate Committee staff to discuss critical issues and to push for provisions from several bills (S.10 VA Careers Act, Elizabeth Dole Home Health Act) we believe are critical to what healthcare will look like in the
future. This includes efforts to bolster recruitment, retention, hiring and salaries for VHA and others (H.R. 1315, The HEALTH Act and S. 2649, Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act) that would harm VA by reducing internal funding by increasing
healthcare dollars to community providers.
As we move into April and May, it is likely that some of the language /provisions from these bills will be debated on the House & Senate floor as part of an Omnibus Veterans Package which is being negotiated between House and Senate VA Committees now.
There will also be hearings and debates on Fiscal Year 2025 funding for VA which is key to taking care of Veterans throughout the system.
Speaking up and advocating for what you need to take care of Veterans is key to VA remaining strong and continuing its coordination of care for all Veterans.
I urge all of you to continue the conversation by meeting with members in your District and State offices. As we approach the 2024 election, rest assured members want to know what is happening in their hometown and States. Find your member and Senator’s
offices and sign up for their newsletters so you know when they are home hosting Town Halls and other community events.
It is the best way to have your voice heard – along with voting of course!!
Posted By Administration,
Monday, January 22, 2024
by: Nancy Claflin DNP MS RN NEA-BC CENP CCRN CPHQ FNAHQ Chair, NOVA Education Committee
In 2023, NOVA completed a successful first year of our 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. These programs are designed to provide specific information about veterans and veterans’ healthcare.
The Caring for Veterans webinars are focused on providing information to not only new graduate nurses and nurses who are new to the VA but also to all of the VA nurses who care for veterans every day. These programs provide a wonderful foundation for caring for veterans, and NOVA recommends that they be included in Nursing Orientation and Transition to Practice programs. The three-year series includes twelve webinars presented each year. Each webinar provides 1.0 contact hours of Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) credit, and completion of each 12-month series, and all three series provide a certificate.
Outstanding programs were presented in 2023 and are available on the NOVA website. Kimberlee Bayless DNP FNP-BC presented a webinar on Acute Pain Management. Mercedes Moore CRNP presented a webinar on COVID-19. Rebecca Brown MSN MBA RN presented a webinar on Breast and Cervical Screening Updates. Gretchen Werle RN MSN and Scott J McAllister, Sr. LICSW presented a webinar on Addressing Homelessness and the HUD-VASH Program. Rosetta M Brown-Greaney MSN ANP presented a webinar on Eligibility for VA Care Compensation, and Pension. Leigh A. Paz LCSW presented Fundamentals of Military Culture. Samantha McCandless MSN RN CEPC presented Community Based Interventions for Suicide Prevention: Community Engagement and Partnership Programs. Linda R. Droste MSN RN CWOCN CBIS presented Wound Care. Daniel Hawks RN presented the Caregiver Support Program. Maura Miller PhD APRN GNP-BC presented Hospice and Palliative Care for Veterans, and Karen Justi BSN RN NBC-HWC presented Whole Health. Viewing these programs will help you and other VA nurses provide the best care to veterans.
In 2024, look for programs on Providing Care to Veterans with Rehabilitation Needs, How You Help Save Lives: Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation, Safe Patient Handling, Providing Equitable Healthcare: Caring for LGBTQ Veterans, What is PTSD and How Do You Address it with Veterans, Infectious Disease Exposures Veterans Encounter, Community Care Update, Traumatic Brain Injury, Chronic Pain Management, Suicide Prevention Strategies, Military Sexual Trauma/Intimate Partner Violence, and Substance Use Disorders.
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 the 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 their 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. The webinars are available on demand on the NOVA website: https://www.vanurse.org/default.aspx
Posted By Cathy Giasson, DNP, MHA, RN, NE-BC, CPHQ,
Monday, January 22, 2024
Happy New Year and Welcome to 2024! It is with great pride and honor that I serve as the President of the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs and I am very humbled by your support and believe that I will lead the organization professionally and innovatively for the next two years.
I pledge to steer the organization in alignment with our mission: to educate, communicate and advocate for the Department of Veterans Affairs nurse professionally, personally and legislatively. I will work with the NOVA board as well as members to move NOVA forward in an innovative way and to ensure its continued growth.
I would like to welcome our newest NOVA Directors: Tiffany Keller-Hale, DNP, RN, BBA (Dayton, Ohio VA); Rockne Jacque MSN, RN VA (Central Western MA); Jessica Tynan BSN, RN (VA Boston Healthcare System); Michella Savoy-Carter, BSN, RN, CDCES, RN-BC (VA Maryland Healthcare System); and Betty Ogren LPN (Phoenix VA).
It is also a pleasure to congratulate Michelle Salazar-Rodriguez VA Black Hill South Dakota as newly elected President Elect.
NOVA thanks Taryn-Janae Wilcox-Olson, MHS, RN, CPHQ for leading NOVA the past two years and welcome her as Immediate Past President. NOVA is thankful to outgoing board members Kelly D. Skinner DNP, APRN, NP-C, GNP-BC, CRRN, WCC, CFCN, CPHQ for her service on NOVA Board for 15 years and to Miriam Rogers- Holy MSN, RN, ACM. Thank you for your service to NOVA nurses!
In December, NOVA Board of Directors conducted strategic planning, focusing on membership, engagement, and rebranding of NOVA to ensure its future success. NOVA Board and staff are dedicated to ensuring NOVA has the necessary resources to support members for years to come. It was an exciting time and the board is currently working hard on completing the plan to move NOVA forward ensuring its continued growth and success for years to come. Stay tuned for news on the strategic plan!
I sincerely look forward to leading NOVA and thank you for your service!
NOVA begins 2024 under the helm of President Cathy Giasson. Cathy is the Associate Director of Patient Care Services/ Nurse Executive at VA Central Western MA. She is responsible for the day-to-day operation of Nursing Service and all nursing care provided within the health care system. As the Associate Director, she provides 24/7 leadership for all nursing care provided in the inpatient and outpatient settings for the main campus and five community-based outpatient clinics. As a member of the Executive Leadership team, Cathy participates in the decision-making process and governance of the entire system.
Cathy has been at the forefront of conducting salary surveys for all Advanced Practice Nurses, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical nurses, and Nursing Assistants to ensure retention, recruitment, and competitive salaries in her community. It is worth noting that this is and has been one of NOVA’s standing legislative priority goals.
Cathy holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice, a Master of Science/Health Administration, a Bachelor’s, and an associate degree in nursing – all of which she earned with high honors.
An interesting fact about Cathy: she spent time in 2023 at the Montana VA, home of Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair, Jon Tester!
Working as second in command is Michelle Salazar-Rodriguez. Michelle joined NOVA in 2015 and quickly became active in her chapter (364/Black Hills) and in many of its national committees. She was named the chair of the Legislative Committee and remained in that role until 2020.
In her current role as a Patient Flow Coordinator and Bed Manager at the Black Hills, VA, Michelle works in a complex healthcare delivery system and is dedicated to its improvement. She has a background in a broad range of clinical nursing tasks with over 16 years of nursing experience and three years in program management. She has also been involved with the Nurse Professional Standards Board and Nurse Professional Practice Council for over seven years and is currently co-chair for both committees.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science and an associate degree in nursing and is currently obtaining a Master of Nursing in Leadership and Management.
A fun fact about Michelle: she was recently married and spoke her vows in Spanish embracing her and her husband's culture.
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