Office of Nursing Services (ONS)

Advancing Knowledge

VA Nurses continue to advance the knowledge of the greater national nursing communities through their work. VA Nurses publish, present oral and poster presentations at conferences, and deliver a variety of educational offerings through our academic affiliates and via webinars within VA and beyond. These are examples of the knowledge VA Nurses are creating and sharing.

VA Nurse Executive Conference 2016

The Office of Nursing Services and VA Employee Education System sponsored a national conference of Nurse Executives from May 24 - 26 to enhance and sustain excellence in leading services pertaining to Veteran’s complex needs. Additionally, there was a focus on addressing challenges in the areas of nursing leadership, recruitment, retention, succession planning, access, and care coordination.

VA Nursing Book Now Available from the US Government Bookstore

The VA Office of Nursing Services is proud to announce the release of the book, Realizing the Future of Nursing: VA Nurses Tell Their Story. This remarkable compilation of stories and experiences described by 145 VA nurses, physicians, and associated healthcare staff; and community partners in both academia and business, provides an extraordinary view into the nation's largest healthcare system. There are many moving narratives that focus on specific innovations designed to improve the quality and safety of Veteran care from the "headquarters" perspective. In addition, individual VA staff shared their unique experiences from the "field" perspective. Taken together, these create a powerful picture of remarkable commitment and dedication, extreme challenges, and exceptional success.

The 27 chapters contained within this book will provide healthcare executives with a unique road-map for ground-breaking strategic approaches to leadership, communication, evidenced-based practice, academic partnerships, utilizing data to drive improvements and add value, and the development of a team-based, non-traditional, highly adaptable and functional workforce.

The stories told in this book reflect the hard work and dedication of the Veterans Affairs nurses who provide care to our nation’s heroes. Four key messages outlined in the book help explain the important role of VA nurses.

• Key Message 1: Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training;
• Key Message 2: Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression;
• Key Message 3: Nurses should be full partners, with physicians and other health care professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States;
• Key Message 4: Effective workforce planning and policy making require better data collection and an improved information structure.

The book is available in both paperback and electronic versions. Please go to the US Government Publications Office website to order and download your copy!

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