Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the most frequently asked questions directed to VNA.
Q. I need a license to practice in Virginia; can you help me?
The Board of Nursing handles licensure. Please call 804-367-4515 for renewals, transfers...
or you can go to their website at www.dhp.virginia.gov
Read more about what the Board of Nursing can do for you by clicking here
Q. Where can I get a copy of the nurse practice act?
A. Contact the Virginia Board of Nursing for a copy of these documents. All licensing and regulations are the responsibility of the BON which is located in the Department of Health Professions. www.dhp.virginia.gov
Q.I would like more information about: . . . nurses’ legislative day, annual delegate assembly, continuing education.........
A. Call the VNA office at 804-282-1808 or email us at admin@virginianurses.com
Q. When is Week of the Nurses? Is there a theme?
A. Please check our calendar of events for updated information.
The annual Week of the Nurse is May 6 - 12. The ANA determines a yearly theme and various activities may be scheduled around the week.
Q. Is Virginia a mandatory continuing education state?
A. Virginia is not a mandatory CE state. The Virginia Department of Health Professions which includes the Board of Nursing, is concerned with insuring the continuing competency of all of its professional licensees. Discussions about how to protect the public include analysis of the role of continuing education in this process occur at the Department level as they do within VNA and other professional groups.
VNA is approved by the American Nurse Credentialing Center as a provider and approver of continuing education. Approximately 40 facilities and agencies in Virginia have current approval as providers of quality professional education, many groups are also approved to give one-time offerings. VNA itself provides many educational programs each year.
Q. Does VNA represent nurses for collective bargaining?
A.VNA decertified as a collective bargaining unit many years ago when the ANA adopted a federation structure and each state nurses association had to declare their status with the department of labor. Prior to this, VNA had not organized any facilities or groups of nurses although the ability existed in law. The decision to decertify was based on the fact that Virginia is a right to work state and it also reflects the political climate in Virginia. In a right to work state, employees cannot be required to support collective agreements. Further, an employee may be dismissed for any cause in a right to work state, and the existence of a collective bargaining agreement would not prevent that from happening.
The ANA bylaws state that a function of ANA is to "ensure a collective bargaining program for nurses" for those requesting such a service. To that end, VNA has developed a shared services document which would enable the association to work collaboratively with another SNA to provide that service. Establishing a unit is arduous, subject to the rules of the National Labor Relations Board, and is costly.
VNA, as the constituent member of ANA which is the all-purpose, professional group for nurses in the country, offers RNs a professional "home" linking members to a powerful local, state and national network of nurses. In addition to our legislative agenda, VNA promotes significant practice initiatives, career assessment opportunities, and critical workplace advocacy plans.
Q. What is the VNA’s position on a legislative bill?
A. For information on VNA the following resources may be helpful. To read and/or download any of these documents - VNA mission and vision statements; bylaws and organizational chart; legislative agenda; and other information, see Resources and the VNA homesite section. Various VNA and ANA brochures are also available. Either VIRGINIA NURSES TODAY and THE AMERICAN NURSE publications (may be available upon request) would provide a sense of current issues. Visit the ANA website, NURSINGWORLD for other details. http://www.nursingworld.org/
VNA’s legislative agenda is reviewed annually. It is a broadly stated document of principles which allows the association to evaluate individual pieces of legislation as they are proposed. VNA works cooperatively with the Legislative Coalition of Virginia Nurses in advancing nursing’s agenda in the Virginia General Assembly and in the regulatory arena as well. An updated list is in the Government Relations Section.
When the General Assembly is in session, a faxed, e-mailed or telephoned message encouraging your elected representative to vote up or down on a piece of legislation can be critical in supporting nursing’s agenda. Timing is very important; if a vote on a bill has already occurred, a late message is not very useful. Letters or visits to elected representatives in the off session months can be helpful in a variety of ways: to educate legislators on specific issues; to express support or disagreement with a position that has been taken; or to offer future assistance.
Q. I need to know the name of a legislative bill so I can write in support of it.
A.
Q. I would like a copy of the regs for nurse practitioners.
A. The Virginia Board of Nursing is responsible for licensing registered nurses as well as issuing approval numbers to enable nurse practitioners to prescribe (this is a limited authority to prescribe). The BON also maintains lists of NPs and Clinical Nurse Specialists and other nurses in advanced practice. www.dhp.virginia.gov
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