Registered NOVA Nurses, day in and day out, put in an untold amount of work when it comes to the VA and its patients. A typical day is nearly impossible to nail down, as every shift can wildly change from energizing to exhausting to frustrating to momentous, and back again. The following showcases how NOVA’s RNs care for veterans and how they are elevating other nurses and NOVA itself.

Why Choose VA Nursing?

Those that responded gave a wide range of reasons why they chose to go into nursing, specifically the VA, but it all came down to helping veterans.

For Danielle L. Alderman, MSN, RN, who works in the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, it was to help those with their physical and psychological health needs first.

“After being a Social Worker for six years, I realized I needed to first address the physical and psychological health of my clients before I could effectively impact the social and financial situations of the families I was serving,” Alderman said.

A few NOVA nurses responded that they are veterans themselves and wanted to make a lasting, helpful change by working with a group that they understood well — other veterans.

“I am a veteran, and my father, brother, and one sister were in the Army,” Eileen Kupper-Grubbs, RN, MEDSURG-BC, said. “Veterans are a precious few who would die for the United States. I wanted to be part of their care.”

Another said they are married to a United States Marine and while he was in service, they loved the idea of working with active duty military and veterans.

One said, after graduating from the VA Learning Opportunities Residency (VALOR) program, they were then hired full-time after graduating with a BSN.

Helping Veterans in Their Time of Need

NOVA asked members to think about times they were there to help veterans when they needed it the most.

“A group of veterans lived in the same town that had just had a tornado,” Kupper-Grubbs said. “I called EMS and they were able to drill down to the block where the tornado occurred and send a van to the city to bring the veterans to the VA for care, food, and clothing.”

Heather Debe, MBA, MAA, BSN, RN is a Call Center Registered Nurse in the El Paso VA Healthcare System and does what she can to help.

“I work in the Call Center as a registered nurse. Every caller is different, and you just focus on helping the veteran with whatever they need — whether it’s a triage for illness or injury, at-home care teaching, medication questions, or requesting a consult.”

Alderman spends a lot of time just listening to veterans on the phone. She lets them get their frustrations out and then comes up with a plan and a strategy with them, to hopefully fix at least one thing to improve the situation.

“Occasionally, I will also invite the veteran to come down to the clinic and see me,” Alderman said. “Sometimes they just need to get out of the house and connect with a person in a safe place, so they don't feel so isolated and lonely.”

The NOVA Nurse

At the end of a long day, NOVA nurses ponder some of the reasons why working as a VA nurse is exciting and rewarding.

For example, Tonya Mial, MSN, RN at the Greenville VA Health Care Center in Greenville, North Carolina, the most exciting part of being a VA nurse is her continued service to her brothers and sisters in arms.

“I enjoy being surrounded by heroes,” Mial said. “As a veteran, I will need services and rely on the kindness of others who respect and appreciate my sacrifices; I want to give to them what I one day want given to me.”

Marilyn Simpson, MSN/Ed, RN, at the West Texas VA Health Care System, is on the Education Committee and loves that NOVA gives her and other NOVA nurses opportunities to learn, with free CEUs. Others say that each education session has improved their knowledge which helps take care of their patients.

“NOVA has helped me succeed academically and professionally through scholarships and online seminars,” Alderman said. “NOVA also connected me with a mentor who has been a tremendous support and professional guide.”

Kupper-Grubbs watches webinars and collaborates with other NOVA nurses to improve care for patients. And Nurse Debe has been to two Annual Conferences, found them informative, and liked the networking connections it brought.

Discover the benefits of the NOVA community and join today!

As the new school year starts, parents of school-age children are facing increasing uncertainty when it comes to their children’s education. Some states allow all-virtual learning, some have opted for in-person education, and still others are implementing hybrid solutions that combine virtual and reduced-capacity in-school learning. At the same time, parents whose children are too young for school but require child care are navigating limited options while trying to make the best choices for their families. The gravity of these situations is particularly taxing on healthcare workers.

The following are options that NOVA nurses may explore as you explore your family’s education and child care needs.

See What the VA Can Do For You 

As a member of the VA, some NOVA nurses have access to the Office of Human Resources Management’s VA Child Care Subsidy Program Service . The service assists families in paying child care costs for children under age 13 who can not attend public school during the part of the day when public education is available, or for children with special needs under age 18.

Visit va.gov to find VA-sponsored child care centers in your area and complete the necessary paperwork for the program. If there aren’t any sponsored child care centers in your area, a link is provided to the U.S. General Service Administration, with additional federal centers across the nation.

Our NOVA president noted that sharing your situation with colleagues and supervisors may help uncover additional resources that could be available to you. “I suggest being honest and upfront with your supervisors, colleagues, family, and friends,” Kelly D. Skinner, DNP, APRN, NP-C, GNP-BC, CRRN, WCC, CFCN said. “Share with them what your current challenges are but be flexible in return. Keep the lines of communication open and take advantage of the available resources to minimize your stress and anxiety amid these times of uncertainty.”

Alternatives

If there are no VA-sponsored child care centers in your state, there are some alternatives to help you balance your work life and the educational needs for you children.

YMCA

The YMCA of the USA is offering child care due to COVID-19-related school closures and to help the needs of essential workers.

According to the YMCA’s website: “In response, the Y – one of the nation’s largest and most trusted providers of child care services – is offering emergency child care at more than 940 locations for families of medical personnel, essential employees, and first responders.”

All YMCAs have different fees and work with parents if they need financial assistance. Visit ymca.net to find a child care site near you. Note that this information is always changing, so contact your local Y for the most up-to-date information.

Tutors and Child Care Providers

Virtual tutoring is on the rise, helping keep kids engaged in the learning process while parents manage working from home or, if for healthcare workers working outside the home, partnering with childcare providers to ensure children’s learning stays on track outside the classroom. An online search for “virtual tutor” yields a variety of online tutoring services.

Pair Up with Neighbors

Some parents are teaming up with other families to create “pods.” These pods can come in different forms, some families will rent out space to make DIY schools, while others hire virtual tutors as a companion to online teaching.

Call on Family

Finally, it’s also possible to ask a family member to watch your children while you’re at work. Now during the COVID-19 pandemic, this may be a difficult thing to ask a family member, especially if they are more susceptible to the virus, like older parents or grandparents. If they are willing to help, they could help get them ready to go to school or get them ready for virtual classes.

When it comes to childcare and schooling you do have options. Explore benefits available to you through the VA and talk to your supervisors and tell them what is happening. If needed, consider what child care and education alternatives might work for you and your family in your area.

Connect with your NOVA Community for More Resources 

Now more than ever, communities are rallying to support each other. Join the NOVA community at the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs 40^th Annual Meeting, being held virtually from October 29-30, 2020.