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Congratulations to the VA Providence Health Care System (VAPHS) for achieving its 3rd consecutive Pathway to Excellence Program ® (PTE) designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Previously designated in 2014 and 2018, VA Providence is one of only two VA facilities in the country who have achieved a third designation. This recognition reflects the commitment of VAPHS to a culture of sustained excellence and a positive practice environment. “We’re so excited to have achieved this third designation and this just demonstrates VAPHS’s support of the nurses voice and the continued excellence in nursing care we provide our Veterans!” shared Meaghan Pollak, RN, MSN. VAPHS has a proud legacy of nursing excellence providing exceptional care to Veterans in a healthy work environment where nurses feel empowered and valued. “We know that living the pathway framework results in higher nurse satisfaction, engagement, and retention, as well at better patient outcomes. This recognition is a true testament to the commitment and dedication of our nurses and the outstanding care they provide.” Matt Goulet, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Associate Director for Patient Care/Nurse Executive. To learn more, visit: The Pathway to Excellence® Program.
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As a young Army medic, Garret Eisen admired the nurses with whom he came in contact, inspiring him to pursue a career in nursing. Garret not only served Veterans at the Edward Hines VA Hospital for 50 years but, also served for 24 years as a nurse in U. S. Army Reserves, retiring in 2005 as a Lieutenant Colonel. “It’s been a real privilege to be a nurse,” said Garret. To read the full story, please visit: VA nurse reflects on 50 years of service.
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The American Academy of Nursing (AAN) has announced that it will induct 253 distinguished nurse leaders into the 2023 Class of Fellows. The inductees will be recognized for their substantial, sustained, and outstanding impact on health and health care at the Academy’s annual Health Policy Conference, taking place on October 5 – 7, 2023 in Washington, DC. This year’s conference theme is “Celebrating 50 Years of Leadership, Policy, and Partnership.” The following VA nurses will be 2023 inductees:
- Catherine Battaglia, PhD, RN – Eastern Colorado Health Care System
- Chien Chen, MSN, RN, PMH-BC, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, DNP(c) – VHA Central Office
- Margo A. Halm, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, VA Portland Health Care System (retired)
- Heidi Maloni, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, CNRN, MSCN – VA Washington DC Health Care System
- Danilo Lovinaria, DNP, MBA, APRN, CRNA, CHSE, FNAP, FAANA – VA Minneapolis Health Care System
Please read their biographies at: Featuring VA Nurses.
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The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) have announced their 2023 Fellows. Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP) are selected for their contributions to the global advancement of Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and the high-quality health care they deliver. These NP leaders have made outstanding contributions to NP education, policy, clinical practice, or research, furthering the NP role while enhancing AANP’s mission. Congratulations to the following VA FAANPs:
- Kristin Kopelson, DNP, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP – VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System
- Karen Williams, DNP, FNP-BC, AQH, FAANP – VA Central Virginia Health Care System (retired)
Please read their biographies at: National APRN Awards
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Christopher J. Mazza, DNAP, CRNA, EBP-C, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and retired U.S. Army Major, with the VA Houston Health Care System has recently completed The Ohio State University College of Nursing: Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-based Practice (EBP) in Nursing and Healthcare EBP Certification. Christopher is the first Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) in the United States and the first VA CRNA to hold this distinction. Individuals who successfully complete this program are entitled to state that they hold an EBP Certification from the Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare. The added knowledge, skills, and attitudes that Christopher has achieved, has prepared him to serve in leadership roles within healthcare and academic institutions to lead the adoption and implementation of EBP concepts to strengthen quality healthcare. Congratulations and job well done, Christopher!
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Dr. Grace Cullen, DNP, FNP-BC, AOCNP, PMGT-BC, FPCN, Nurse Practitioner with the John D. Dingell Department Of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Adjunct Clinical Instructor with Wayne State University College of Nursing served as principal investigator and co-authored The Effect of Aromatherapy in the Management of Cancer-Related Pain at the End of Life: A Pilot Study (excerpted). Published by the Oncology Nursing Society, the research centered on the use of clinical aromatherapy for alleviating cancer-related pain, particularly at the end of life. This pilot study identifies implementation effects of aromatherapy on pain level, pain perception, and the use of oral morphine equivalent among patients with cancer at the end of life. Using a survey, participants were asked to rate their pain before and after the use of aromatherapy. A chart review comparing oral morphine equivalent use pre- and postimplementation of aromatherapy was also performed. Post-implementation of aromatherapy, mean pain scores decreased and most found aromatherapy soothing. This is a pilot study and additional research is needed to support these findings. For questions please contact: grace.cullen@va.gov.
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To better understand the perspectives of our key stakeholders, VA nurses, and to provide a means whereby constructive feedback can be provided on the services provided by ONS, we have deployed a brief Customer Experience Survey that can found in the signature line of ONS employees or at the ONS SharePoint site. The survey can be taken anonymously and is not linked to any one employee. Please take a moment now to let us know how we are doing, or the next time you interact with one of our many dedicated professionals. Please do not hesitate to provide your feedback, helping us to not only improve but, to recognize those employees who have gone ‘above and beyond!’ Also be sure to use Contact an ONS SME, also found at the ONS SharePoint site. We are here to provide timely responses and access to a multitude of resources designed to guide, enhance, and support VA nursing.
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 From July 26-29, 2023, approximately 40 VHA Nurse Recruiters attended the annual National Association for Health Care Recruitment (NAHCR) conference in Austin, Texas. The event is a one-of-a-kind experience as NAHCR is the only professional recruiting organization dedicated to health care. The conference provided 11 continuing education credits on topics such as: embracing the discomfort of change, expanding social media marketing tactics, diversity equity & inclusion topics regarding tokenism vs representation, candidate sourcing resources, generational differences, 2023 legal updates, and much more! A breakout session was also conducted for all Federal agency attendees and hosted by the VA Nurse Recruiter Association (VANRA), giving all VA Nurse Recruiters an opportunity to discuss best practices, opportunities, and general topics unique to Federal recruiting processes.
 Since the new Office of Nursing Services (ONS) SharePoint launched one year ago, the number of visitors and page views has increased exponentially! ONS’s SharePoint is an integral tool in the implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy focused at supporting more than 113,000 VA nurses. Prior to the new site, traffic averaged just 229 unique visitors and 1,398 page views, monthly. Since the new site launched on August 3, 2022, traffic has skyrocketed with a monthly average of nearly 5,000 unique visitors and over 17,000 page views. “We cannot be more pleased with the progress that has been made,” said M. Scott Ballard, ONS Director of Communications. Besides being more user friendly, the new site allows ONS-based ‘content managers’ to conduct routine page maintenance themselves, further expediting the sharing of relevant and useful information and resources to the field. To date, more than 40 content managers have received training on how to develop and sustain their individual pages. For more information about the ONS SharePoint or assistance, please contact vhaonscommunications@va.gov.
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A new patient resource is now available for the My VA Images app. My VA Images is a web app that enables patients to send photos and videos safely and securely to their VA health care professionals and receive clinical feedback from the comfort and convenience of their home. The new My VA Images brochure helps patients better understand the benefits of using the app. It gives them an overview of the app’s key features and instructions on how to use it. VA nurses, other health care professionals, and staff are encouraged to print and distribute the brochure to patients at their facilities.
Download the brochure from the My VA Images Community on Connected Care Academy or the My VA Images page on the VHA Telehealth Services intranet site. If you have questions, please email Connected Care Academy Support.
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