Marlene Brewster took advantage of the many opportunities for advancement during her 33-year nursing career at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Now, in her role as an executive leader at the VA Greater Los Angeles (GLA) Healthcare System, she promotes and supports the very programs she benefited from, including education and leadership opportunities.
“Whether they’re LVNs (licensed vocational nurses) or RNs (registered nurses) they can move up and get their B.S. or they can get their master’s,” said Brewster, associate director of Nursing and Patient Care Services, in a video. She added that VA also has programs where nurses can earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice or another doctorate degree.
Choose VA to become a nursing leader
VA values the voices and opinions of its nursing staff to improve patient care. As a member of the executive leadership team, Brewster fully participates in policy decision-making and helps resolve the most complex and sensitive operational issues. She is a full member of the GLA Executive Leadership Board and Resources Council.
Other VA nurses provide leadership input through the Nursing Executive Leadership Board and Field Advisory Committee. (Learn more about leadership opportunities for VA nurses from the VA Office of Nursing Services (ONS) brochure PDF.)
Brewster also serves on councils at the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) level, where she is involved in decisions that impact clinical systems for thousands of Veterans residing in Southern and Central California and Southern Nevada.
Choose VA to be part of the care team
Even before she was drawn to executive-level leadership, Brewster chose VA for the team-centered approach to care that puts Veteran patients first.
“The team approach is special because everybody has the patient at the center of what they do,” Brewster said. “We really want to see to it that the patient has the very, very best.”
Now, through her leadership position, Brewster can ensure that even more Veterans get that kind of individualized and collaborative care at VA.
Choose VA today
Brewster chose VA to develop professionally in her nursing career, which led her to become an executive leader.
See if a VA career in nursing is the right choice for you too.
- WATCH Brewster describe why she chose VA for her nursing career.
- EXPLORE a VA nursing career.
- APPLY for an open position near you.
- LEARN how to Choose VA at www.vacareers.va.gov.
- Follow our Choose VA blog series:
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