It's time to nominate a colleague for one of the NOVA Awards! Deadline for submission is November 15, 2005. NOVA awards honor individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to NOVA, the nursing profession, the health care of veterans, or in service to our country. Now is the time to send in nominations for these outstanding awards. Send the information to Linda-Dell Archuleta, Awards Chair, at ldarchuleta@att.net; nominations may also be sent to nova@vanurse.org. NOVA will be awarding the following at the 26th annual conference in Miami, FL, next spring:

NOVA Veterans Award: This award is presented to an individual veteran or group of veterans in recognition of dedication, accomplishment, and sacrifice to our country through one of the following: personal sacrifice in the service of country; improving the quality of national or veterans' health care; or the enhancement of the nursing profession. The nominee does not have to be a member of NOVA but must be nominated by a NOVA member or chapter.

NOVA Distinguished Member Award: This award is presented to an individual or group for distinguished service to the nursing profession of the Veterans Health Care System through one or more of the following: enhancement of the image of nursing; improvement of the health care of the veteran; impact on nursing recruitment or retention. The nominee does not have to be a member of NOVA, but must be nominated by a NOVA member or chapter.

NOVA Professional Nurse Award for Clinical Excellence: This award is presented to a professional nurse who has made an outstanding contribution to the nursing profession or the Veterans Health Care System through excellence in clinical practice. Some examples might include serving as a role model and mentor for other nurses; initiating innovative health care practices; participating in lifelong learning to expand professional knowledge. The nominee does not need to be a member of NOVA, but must be nominated by a NOVA member.

NOVA Professional Nurse Award for Leadership: This award is presented to a professional nurse who has made an outstanding contribution to the nursing profession or the Veterans Health Care System through leadership ability. Some examples might include serving as a role model or mentor for newer nurses; impacting nursing retention and recruitment; advancing nursing research and scholarship. The nominee does not need to be a NOVA member and does not need to hold a managerial position, but must be nominated by a NOVA member.

Barbara Chambers Award: This award is presented to an individual NOVA member or group of NOVA members for outstanding contributions to NOVA through active leadership roles in the organization; significant contributions to the objectives of NOVA. The nominee must be a current or former member of NOVA.

Vernice Ferguson Award: This award is presented to an individual or group for significant contributions to the NOVA Foundation in order to further the mission of the Foundation by devoting volunteer time to a specific educational/research program and/or fundraising activity; contributing monetarily to the scholarship, education, or research programs; demonstrating a passion for VA nurses and veterans, which results in a third-party contribution. The nominee does not have to be a member of NOVA, but must be nominated by a member of NOVA or the NOVA Foundation Board.

Silver Star Chapter Award: This award is presented to an outstanding local NOVA chapter. These chapters are the backbone of the organization. Local chapters are "where the action is". Members meet, share ideas, have fun, learn from educational speakers, share nursing stories and innovative ideas, enjoy food, plan legislative activities and carry on the work of the organization. Several chapters have been outstanding over the years. This award recognizes "grassroots" efforts by chapters. The Chapter needs to be recognized by the NOVA National Office as an active chapter (bylaws on file, at least 10 members, etc.). For this award, the Chapter needs to fill out the application which is available on the web page (click here) and send it to the National Office by November 15.