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!

The 2020 Annual Meeting Starts October 29

Attention all NOVA nurses! The Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs 40th Annual Meeting is right around the corner, kicking off the first-ever all-virtual meeting on Thursday, October 29 at 10 a.m. EST and concluding on Friday, October 30 at 7:15 p.m. EST. The meeting is set to provide attendees with educational opportunities as well as in-depth discussions on the health and well-being of nurses, the future of VA healthcare, and more.

NOVA’s Annual Meeting Planning Committee chose this year’s theme, Celebrating NOVA's Legacy and Promise of NOVA's Future, in honor of NOVA’s ruby anniversary and the many accomplishments of NOVA nurses in the last 40 years.

 “This year’s annual meeting will be an informative and memorable two-day event — all focusing on providing outstanding care for our nation’s Veterans,” said Kelly D. Skinner, DNP, MSN, RN, NP-C, GNP-BC, CRRN, WCC, CFCN, member of the 2020 Annual Meeting Planning Committee. “The virtual program will include dynamic presentations and speakers, award recognition, poster presentations and vendor sessions.”

Annual Meeting Planning Committee Co-Chair Taryn-Janae Wilcox-Olson, MHS, RN, notes that the focus on Veteran care wouldn’t be possible without the NOVA members and partners who have made NOVA such a successful organization for so long.

“NOVA members have made their voices heard and we want to highlight that. We have had many adventures and made so many memories together. This year’s theme is really about bringing that all together: our legislative achievements, educational opportunities, networking with VA Central Office to ensure the best care for our Veterans, meeting First Ladies — the list goes on and on,” said Wilcox-Olson. The celebration is an apt one for NOVA’s milestone year.

The Virtual Difference

Since this year’s Annual Meeting is all virtual, eliminating the need to travel for the event, the planning committee is expecting more members to attend.

"Attendees get to witness the great work NOVA achieves during the year, and, hopefully, after they experience the education NOVA can provide to its members, they will attend next year's annual meeting in person," said Annual Planning Committee Chair, Catherine R. Giasson, DNP, MHA, RN, NE-BC.

Indeed, attendees who have never had the opportunity to experience a NOVA Annual Meeting will finally have a chance to experience the education and networking that draw so many to the annual event. “I always encourage nurses to attend the NOVA Conferences because of the numerous educational and networking opportunities,” Skinner said. “I feel confident that they will enjoy the program, won’t be disappointed, and will have fun too. Our NOVA Chapter 226 Board Members have already started planning a Watch Party with mask wearing and social distancing!”

The keynote address by Dr. Richard Stone, Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration, will focus on leading the VA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other general sessions include Eyes on the Prize: Moving up the VA Career Ladder, Nursing Resiliency: Secrets for Getting Out of the Mindset Alligator Pit and Moving On, Striving for Excellence to Strengthen Your VA Nursing Practice, and more.

Members also can present their practice, research, innovations, and projects through e-posters. These e-posters give viewers a concise snapshot of their work through a single slide presentation that is viewed on a computer.

COVID-19 has made it a tough year for everyone, including NOVA nurses. Canceled in-person events and social distancing guidelines have affected how people connect with one another. NOVA has planned its virtual event to be a safe gathering place for those seeking community. “This year’s virtual NOVA conference will provide an opportunity for our NOVA members to stay connected with one another. During this time of crisis, a sense of purpose and togetherness is needed,” said Skinner.

Haven't registered for NOVA's 40th Annual Meeting yet?  Visit vanurse.org/mpage/AnnualMeeting to preview the schedule, programming and more.

We all have, at one time or another, had to deal with conflict in the workplace. For NOVA members, those situations may range from harmless—like dealing with a difficult colleague—to potentially life threatening. In this month’s blog we asked some NOVA members if they have had to deal with difficult situations and how they resolved those conflicts in the workplace.

Dealing with Difficult Coworkers

Some situations may be easily resolved by talking to a coworker with whom you are experiencing a conflict. However, sometimes it’s not you, it’s them. Ernestine Goode, MSA, BSN, RN, CRRN, CBIS, had a situation where she felt she was being treated unfairly even though no issues or concerns had been raised by TJC, CARF, PVA, or OIG. “There were no findings, but this person proceeded to document opinions and not facts,” Goode said. “The situation was dealt with using human resources and administrative means. This person was removed from the VA.” Taking the issue to her employer’s human resources department allowed the right people to handle the situation. Had Goode tried to resolve the issue herself, she may have exacerbated the false reports and documentations leading to an even bigger problem. While you might be able to resolve issues with a colleague by yourself, sometimes you need to enlist the help of HR or your superior.

For More Serious Matters

Betty Ogren, LPN, had a situation that had the potential to put lives at risk. Some employees at her facility were not wearing masks that help prevent the spread of COVID-19. “Employees were educated regarding the importance of using masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Ogren. Yet she regularly saw staff not complying with mask-wearing recommendations. “I asked leadership to send weekly reminders to all staff to address the situation.” Ogren’s conflict resolution skill was to go directly to leadership. She saw a problem that had the potential to be dangerous, and engaged leadership to address it.

The Role of Self Awareness

An important part of conflict resolution is self awareness. Sometimes you have to step back and look at yourself—are you overreacting? Are your colleagues’ problems caused by them or you? It may be difficult to remove yourself from your emotions and objectively consider your role in the conflict, but it may remedy the situation. 

When in a leadership position (or as an employee), it may be difficult not to take comments personally. For Kelly D. Skinner, DNP, APRN, NP-C, GNP-BC, CRRN, WCC, CFCN, it was difficult at first for her to talk to the staff and supervisors about advancements/promotions recommendations, of which she was involved. “I serve as chairperson for the Nurse Professional Standards Board at my facility,” Skinner said. “When I assumed this role, I wasn’t initially comfortable discussing the board action results with unhappy staff and supervisors who didn’t get advanced or promoted. However, I quickly learned not to take their comments personally.” 

Skinner used this as a learning opportunity to provide professional guidance. “I don’t become defensive, aggressive, or angry when staff express their frustration,” Skinner said. “I use it as an opportunity to listen carefully, explain the proficiency process, respectfully provide constructive criticism on their proficiency or reconsideration request narrative, and offer advice and support. I keep the conversation goal-oriented and try to avoid any drama. I actually enjoy these encounters at work now.”

Dealing with a difficult situation at work may sometimes be uncomfortable, knowing some conflict resolution techniques can really change how your workplace functions when tensions run high between yourself and colleagues. You may be able to handle some conflicts by yourself, while others are more appropriately handled by leadership or HR. Finally, when you do directly or indirectly deal with the situation, take it as a learning experience, or if you're in a leadership position, use it as a way to give guidance and offer assistance. 

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Learn from other NOVA members through NOVA’s Mentorship Program!

Learn more at www.vanurse.org/page/Mentorship