CEO Message

I am both proud and honored to serve the members of the Virginia Nurses Association as CEO and to lead an exceptional team that shares my and our board’s passion for advancing the profession of nursing in Virginia. Nurses in all practice settings throughout the commonwealth have been joining the association in record numbers and for good reason!

A successful advocacy track record!
We’ve made tremendous advances in the legislative and public policy arenas, leveraging the fact that nursing is the most trusted profession and, with more than 140,000 RNs in Virginia, has developed a strong and respected voice. We’ve successfully tackled tough issues like workplace violence, mental health services, and full practice authority for APRNs, working in collaboration with specialty nursing and healthcare organizations. And, of course, none of this could be done without the full and active engagement of so many nurses; calling upon their legislators both via email and during our four Lobby Days, testifying before powerful legislative committees, and participating in crucial discussions with Virginia’s top administration. VNA ensures that nursing’s voice is heard!
 
News and peer-to-peer engagement on issues important to you!
We scan the healthcare environment daily, providing you with aggregated news content, information about our research-driven initiatives, calls-to-action to push pro-nursing legislation, in-depth articles touting evidenced based best practices and sharing research results on tough issues like incivility and bullying. Plus, you can share your expertise in a meaningful way: developing VNA initiatives to address tough issues and gaps in resources or evolving services. Our peer-to-peer online communities and local chapter events are yet another opportunity discuss challenging issues, seek colleagues’ advice and input, grow your leadership acumen, and get to know nurses at all levels of practice and influence.
 
Professional Development that addresses timely and relevant issues!
We consistently receive high marks for our continuing education programming. From robust sessions focused on improving mental healthcare delivery, identifying solutions to nurse staffing challenges, responding to Virginia’s opioid epidemic, and bringing an end to incivility and workplace violence, our conferences and the state- and nationally-lauded speakers we secure provide participants with the practical knowledge and resources they need to advance nursing excellence and improve health outcomes. Members also enjoy significant discounts to each of our three annual conferences.
 
We also have an on-demand library that boasts a growing number of quality 1-hour educational activities… all free to members and available for a nominal fee to nonmembers. Our chapter webcasts, CE articles in our foundation’s quarterly Virginia Nurses Today newspaper provide even more learning opportunities and contact hours.
 
And I’m thrilled to announce that in October 2021, the Virginia Nurses Foundation, with VNA’s support, launched our new Nurse Leadership Academy (NLA). This 12-month program is designed for new and emerging nurse leaders and includes didactic sessions and webinars as well as development of individual leadership projects.
 
The bottom line: Membership in VNA gives you a competitive edge by clearly communicating to others your commitment to advancing the profession of nursing as well as your dedication to lifelong learning and growth. If you’re already a VNA/ANA member, thank you for your continuing support! Let us know how we can engage you and what you need from us to ensure that VNA remains an excellent investment of your time and dollars. And if you’re not yet a member, now’s a great time to join. At just $15.75/month, we believe it’s a great investment in both your professional future and that of nursing!