Posted By San Diego NOVA Chapter 138,
Friday, February 24, 2023
Updated: Monday, February 27, 2023
On January 27, 2023, San Diego NOVA Chapter 138 gathered for an educational dinner event at Olive & Basil in beautiful La Jolla, California. Nearly 30 nurses from 10 different specialties were in attendance to hear Dr. Claire Brines, DNP, present Understanding the Chronic Wound Continuum: The Nurses Role in Real World Wound Healing, Biofilm Based Wound Management, and the Organogenesis Portfolio. Dr. Brines is a nurse practitioner with over 10 years of medical, surgical, and trauma critical care experience. She most recently worked in the surgical trauma intensive care unit at the University of Chicago Medical Center and started the Advanced Practice Provider service line there.
The dinner was also an opportunity for attendees to learn more about NOVA and the importance of nurses coming together to advocate for nursing and Veteran care. NOVA President, TJ Wilcox-Olson, was on hand to share information and answer questions. It was a very successful recruitment event with several new members submitting their applications before leaving the restaurant and more applying online after. This was one of the first events held by Chapter 138 and everyone enjoyed being able to network outside of work. Chapter members hope to host more events in the near future and continue growing in numbers to lend more voices to issues that impact the care VA nurses provide every day.
Carolyn Latta (lovingly known as Latta) President of Hampton VA NOVA Local Chapter 418 died unexpectantly on January 14, 2023.
Admirably starting her career as a Student Nurse Technician at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center in Philadelphia, Latta had over 30 years of combined VA work experience at the Hampton VA Medical Center and Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC in Virginia in various roles such Staff Nurse Subacute Care, Staff Nurse Long Term Care, ER Float Staff Nurse/ Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Nurse Case Manager, Interim Nurse Manager, GREC and more recently Restorative Nurse Specialist. Latta had just started a new position working remotely with VA Central Office as a Concert Nurse, Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care. She also worked as Adjunct Faculty at the Hampton University School of Nursing.
She was a loyal and dedicated NOVA Local Chapter President for over 15 years, working diligently within the past 10 years, with a few other dedicated nurses, to reactivate and revitalize the inactive Chapter 418 to a now thriving and productive Chapter. Under her leadership, her chapter participated in Wreaths for America, Nursing Hero Virtual 5K race and other national NOVA activities. Latta and her chapter hosted the Opening Ceremony for the Hampton VAMC Nurses Week activities in 2018 and 2022. Last year she hosted two NOVA sponsored education dinners in April and November which were well attended, resulting in four new NOVA members. She rewrote the updated the chapter policies and recently created the Chapter 418 Nurse Board Orientation packet and a 2022 Strategic plan to ensure continued future growth. Also, under her leadership several NOVA members have received the NOVA RN Excellence Awards; more recently the 2022 Nurse Excellence and 2021 Distinguished Chapter Awards.
Latta has been an active member of the National NOVA Membership Committee for several years, volunteering to assist whenever and wherever needed. This is a huge loss for NOVA, and she will be definitely missed! NOVA expresses our sincere condolences to her family, loved ones and friends.
Posted By Administration,
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
On November 29, 2022, the White River Junction nurses gathered for an educational offering hosted by Organogenesis. We had an overwhelming positive response to the invitation. Nurses were excited to be among their colleagues in a learning environment. The past several years have challenged our abilities to do exactly this. Leveraging technologies, we have been able to continue such activity through virtual platforms. This was one of the first face-to-face engagements for nursing professionals since the pandemic and it was refreshing. Many nurses who attended had yet to meet new colleagues from the hospital. Hospital leadership attendance was most appreciated and felt our profession was valued. With approximately 20 nurses in attendance, we were able to share ideas, learn of new wound care products, and brainstorm solutions. The future is bright for the WRJ NOVA chapter.
Posted By Regina R. Bragiel, MSN-Ed, RN,
Friday, January 13, 2023
The nursing shortage has become a crisis of epidemic proportion now more than ever due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nurses have become overworked, under paid, and less appreciated. Nurses are leaving the profession due to burnout and harsh working conditions. If these circumstances are not addressed, unfortunately, the nursing shortage will worsen and have a major impact on patient health outcomes.
Evidence has shown that by offering compressed schedules, that this can lead to increased morale in the work environment and positive patient outcomes. Employers who offer nurses the ability to set their own schedule should eventually see improvement in job satisfaction and retention rates.
Nurses are continuously on the go and rarely sit down due to the ever-changing demands that are placed on them. Nurses can maintain and sustain, but sometimes need a break before burnout ensues. Research show that offering employees the choice of alternative work schedules that this led to higher levels of work-family balance. Compressed and alternativeschedules have resulted in improved productivity and job satisfaction.In turn, this has decreased turnover rates, less call outs, decreased commuting expenses, and work-related stress. Compressed schedules have proven beneficial to employers by saving money, increasing efficiency, and overall improvement in work-life balance of their employees.
To improve nursing retention rates, employers should analyze the reasons that nurses leave their jobs. Nurses are expected to provide patient care in an environment that often lacks supervisor and peer support. There is an increasing demand for longer work hours that result in an increase in physical and psychological stress. Giving employees control over their schedule, can lead to improved sleep, less turnover, and improved work outcomes notably within the first year of employment.
In conclusion, the nursing profession has been heralded one of the most trusted of all professions. Compressed schedules can lead to job satisfaction and decrease burnout in nurses. There are less call outs when nurses are given the opportunity to work alternative schedules. These schedules are effective for nurses who have other competing priorities such as trying to maintain a work-life balance. Offering alternative work schedules can have a significant impact on the nursing shortage by improving retention rates and decreasing burnout in the nursing profession.
Posted By Teresa Morris ,
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Updated: Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Greetings NOVA Members –
The 118th Congress has begun, but before we start the new Congress and new year, I am happy to report that a FY 2023 budget in the form of an omnibus funding package passed. VA will receive its largest budget ever with $303.8 billion in FY 2023. That is up about 10% from FY 2022 levels. VA Medical Care will receive a 22% increase from FY 2022 totaling $118.7 billion, which includes:
$13.9 billion for mental healthcare to provide treatment and support for veterans receiving mental health services
$840.5 million for women’s health, to help VA deliver gender-specific healthcare services, as well as retrofit its facilities
$498 million for suicide prevention outreach
$183.3 million for substance use disorder programs
$663 million for opioid abuse prevention
$2.7 billion for Homeless Assistance Programs
The bill also includes $5 billion for implementation of the PACT Act and a NOVA supported research bill – H.R. 5721, VA Infrastructure Powers Exceptional Research Act (VIPER Act) which ensures VA researchers can continue to be on the forefront of health research and novel discoveries by allowing them to be compensated for research affiliated with other entities.
The 117th second session was busy, and I want to thank all of you who helped us in our advocacy efforts – we had many successes, but as always, more work needs to be done. I invite anyone who wants to help us advocate for VA nurses and healthcare to join us on the Legislative Committee. Information on how to add your voice to our efforts can be found on the NOVA website. We are looking for representation from all 50 States as there is strength in numbers, and we need LPN/LVN/RNs and APRNs to help us advocate for all VA healthcare professionals.
We will be hosting a Member on the Hill Day on March 9, 2023. Discussing VA issues with your legislators (House & Senate) has never been more critical. An email was sent with more information on how you can register and attend. We will also be holding a webinar on Congress and how to schedule those meetings and what to expect while you are in DC. Be assured that we will be here to help every step of the way by providing mentorship, tools of the trade, and a chance for you to partner with those from your respective states when visiting your members of congress and staff.
Stay tuned to NOVA’s website and social media for updates on the 118th Congress, leadership, legislation introduced and other items of interest which affects how you provide healthcare to our Veterans.
Posted By Carolyn Latta, MS, RN, CRRN,
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Updated: Monday, November 21, 2022
A lot of fun and laughter illustrates Hampton Chapter 418’s Meet & Greet at Top Golf. The chapter held a casual meet and greet with the purpose of networking to build connections and cultivate relationships among the members. Our goal is to continue these events quarterly so that as we continue to grow our membership as we become more connected and recognizable within the facility.
Posted By TJ Wilcox-Olson,
Monday, November 21, 2022
It was so nice to see everyone in person again at NOVA’s 42nd annual meeting in October. I think it was one of our best events yet. You all brought so much positive energy. There was a lot of laughter and celebration along with learning. That’s really what NOVA is all about!
I remember my very first NOVA annual meeting. I was with two coworkers and didn’t know anyone else. I immediately felt among friends. We had many first-time attendees in New Orleans and I imagine they felt similarly. I also met a few nurses who had not yet joined NOVA and I have no doubt they will after the experience they had at the meeting.
The annual meeting isn’t about talking about work on your day off. It’s about remembering why you are doing what you are doing, why you started your VA nursing journey.
I encourage everyone who attended this year to come to Las Vegas in October 2023 for NOVA’s 43rd Annual Meeting. I challenge each of you to bring as many nurses from your VA facility as you can. Let’s have a healthy competition to see which facility has the most nurses in attendance.
Increasing membership is NOVA’s number one goal for 2023 and by engaging in events that celebrate nursing and each other, I know we can end 2023 with the most members NOVA has ever had. One way to kick off recruiting new members from your VA is to take part in the Hill Day Challenge. Recruit five or more nurses (LPN/LVN/RN/APRN) to become new NOVA members between September 10, 2022, and January 5, 2023, and you can earn a one-night stay in Washington, DC, during NOVA’s Hill Day in March. You can find more details on the Advocacy tab located on NOVA’s website.
NOVA is the only professional nursing organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for VA nurses. The more of us who come together, the stronger we will be. NOVA’s future it bright and I am excited to see what we accomplish next.
Posted By Maggie Rowe,
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
On November 2, 2022, VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System (VA CWM HCS) Chapter 232 presented a donation of more than 500 non-perishable food items to their Voluntary Service Department’s food bank. The food bank opened at their main campus in Leeds on June 1, 2022 serving all Veterans every Wednesday.
Many food banks rely on outside donations to support their mission as they face the possibility of dwindling supply. The Chapter took pride in this generous opportunity to collect items over the previous weeks from not only the members, but other VA CWM HCS staff to stock the shelves. Some of the items included: a variety of vegetable cans, soup/stew cans, crackers, pasta, juice, peanut butter/jelly, stuffing, dessert mixes, and more. NOVA Chapter 232 looks forward to other events in 2023, such as this, to support both our members and Veterans.
by Thelma R. Serry, BSN, RN, NE-BC - A NOVA Past President and Nurse Emeritus
“A Lifelong Calling”
Florence Jones-Clarke, MS, BSN
NOVA Nurse Emeritus Member, Florence Jones-Clarke has been a nurse for more than 50 years. She received her BSN from North Carolina A&T State University and an MS in Gerontology and Health Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Her nursing career started at Petersburg General Hospital in Petersburg, Virginia where she worked for 2 ½ years as a staff nurse. In 1967, Florence was hired for their Diploma Nursing Program as the first African American Instructor. She then worked for the American Red Cross serving Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and Europe. Upon her return from Europe, she joined SouthSide Regional Medical Center and later worked at VCU/Medical College of Virginia Hospital.
In 1984, Ms. Jones-Clarke joined the VA Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC in Richmond, Virginia where she excelled from Clinical Nurse Coordinator to the position of Interim Associate Chief Nurse of Geriatrics. After working at McGuire, she obtained a position with the Office of the Medical Inspector in Washington, DC where she was a Clinical Program Manager until her retirement in 2006.
For several years, Ms. Jones-Clarke also worked part-time as a clinical instructor at Virginia State University (VSU). She has been a mentor and coach for hundreds of nurses throughout her nursing career.
Ms. Jones-Clarke has been an advocate for the nursing profession. She served as president of the Virginia Nursing Association and vice president of the National Black Nurses Association, Central Virginia Chapter, and the Virginia State Board of Nursing. In addition, she served on the American Nurses Association Board of Directors. She continues to be an active member of these nursing organizations and her local community supporting health initiatives for everyone especially the underserved including the homeless and the elderly. She was instrumental in starting the Health and Wellness Consortium for Petersburg in 2012. The consortium includes health professionals from the Crater Health District, VCU, VSU, professional organizations, local churches, and citizens.
Ms. Jones-Clarke has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades. These recognitions include the Virginia Nurses Association/Virginia Nurses Foundation Nancy Vance Award for prestigious service to the nursing community and the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Award.
Ms. Jones-Clarke is a member of First Baptist Church in Petersburg and is the President of the Health & Wellness Committee, Program Coordinator, and member of the women’s day and Veteran committees.
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