1. Nursing’s Future – Where Are We Going?
Donna Gage, PhD RN NE-BC
Chief Nursing Officer
Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs
35th Annual Meeting

2. VA Nursing Through the Years
1921
1930
The Public Health Service transfers 1,400 hospital nurses to the new “Veterans Bureau” (forerunner of the VA)
The VA is established. Fresh out of the starting gate, it’s the largest employer of nurses in the US!

3. VA Nursing in the 1930’s
Shrinking Hours
and
“Follow-up Nurses”

4. VA Nursing in the 1940’s VA Nurses serve in WWII
Clinical training programs launched
Nurses become professionals
Public Law 293 (Title 38 U.S.C.)

5. VA Nursing in the 1950’s
Another nursing shortage because VA Nurses off to war, again, this time in Korea
NAs and LPNs fill the gap
Continuing Education comes of age

6. VA Nursing in the 1960’s
New medical technologies stimulate specialization
VA Patient Classification System
Doctorally-prepared nurse researchers
Hospital-based home-care

7. VA Nursing in the 1970’s
Numbers of Clinical Nurse Specialists & NPs grow
NP positions are added to improve patient care
Director of Nursing Service position upgraded
The “Primary Nurse” concept is introduced

8. VA Nursing in the 1980’s “Recruitment & Retention”
VA Health Professional Scholarship established
Nursing Administration Practicum Program is launched
Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Program gets going

9. VA Nursing in the 1980’s Nurse Pay Comparability Act
1st national nursing ad campaign is rolled out
VALOR Program created
1 of every 4 nurses in the US is getting clinical training in the VA

10. VA Nursing in the 1990’s
The position of Chief of Nursing Services at VA Medical Centers restructured
The VA health care system is transformed
New Nurse Qualification Standards are developed

11. VA Nursing in the 2000’s
PL —Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2002
1st VAMC receives Magnet Recognition™ for Excellence in Nursing Services – Tampa VAMC

12. VA Nursing In the Coming Years
What Lies Ahead?

13. The Future of VHA 3 Fundamental Priorities
Rebuild Trust
Improve Service
Focus on Veterans
1 “Blueprint for Excellence”
4 Themes
10 Strategies

14. VHA’s Four Themes Improve Performance Promote a Culture of Service
Advance Healthcare Innovation for Veterans & the Nation
Increase Operational Awareness

15. VHA’s 10 Essential Strategies
Anticipate the Unique Needs of Veterans
Measure Outcomes
Leverage IT
Grow the Organizational Culture
Foster Environment of Continuous Learning

16. VHA’s 10 Essential Strategies
6. Advance Health Care 7. Lead the Nation in Research 8. Model an Integrated Health Services Network
9. Operate & Communicate with Transparency & Accountability
10. Modernize Management Processes

17. National Nursing Strategic Plan
It aligns with VHA’s “Blueprint for Excellence”
It has 26 nursing-specific objectives, and
Contains more than 80 milestones!

18. National Nursing Strategic Plan
It aligns with VHA’s “Blueprint for Excellence”
It has 26 nursing-specific objectives, and
Contains more than 80 milestones?

19. National Nursing Strategic Plan
It aligns with VHA’s “Blueprint for Excellence”
It has 26 nursing-specific objectives, and
Contains more than 80 milestones!
Obviously, this is
not a short journey!

20. VA Nursing Strategic Priorities
Strategy 5b: Professional, highly trained workforce Strategy 6c: Develop a patient-care framework Strategy 10a: Right-size resources to achieve full value Strategy 10c: Optimize education and training

21. VA Nursing in 2035 and Beyond
What does your
Crystal Ball tell you?

22. VA Nursing in 2035 and Beyond
Inpatient Discharges Controlled by Nursing
Nursing-led Team Care Is Provided in all Settings
Majority of Nurses Have Faculty/Preceptor Responsibilities
Nursing-led Research Drives Practice

23. (The 1st professionally trained nurses in VA history)…
From a Support Role
(The 1st professionally trained nurses
in VA history)…
…to Clinical Leadership
and You!