Nurses like Bridgette Schultz are truly at the heart of patient care at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). As one of the esteemed winners of the 2025 Secretary’s Awards for Excellence in Nursing and the Advancement of Nursing Programs, Nurse Schultz personifies what it means to be “All About Veterans,” providing compassionate care to each of her patients at the Lebanon PA VA Medical Center.
A champion of innovation and technology, she pioneered the VA Video Connect program, which enhanced follow-up care for hypertensive patients, reduced in-person clinic visits, and improved blood pressure management—and actively encourages her colleagues to embrace the tool as well.
This National Nurses Week, VA Careers had the opportunity to sit down with her to learn more about her career journey as a VA nurse and what’s kept her motivated in serving those who served. Keep reading to get to know Bridgette Schultz, Licensed Practitioner Nurse (LPN)—an innovator and a proud VA nurse.
What inspired you to become a nurse, and what led you to work at VA specifically?
“I was a very young mom of a child with special needs and that inspired me to get into health care. I spent most of my career working locally for a private health care system, but an opportunity came up with VA. I was told they were looking for strong nurses and I was highly encouraged to try. That was in 2019, and I can honestly say today that I love my job and have absolutely no thoughts of going elsewhere.”
Can you walk us through a typical day in your role at VA?
“I work in a primary care outpatient clinic, Monday through Friday. I work closely with the provider on the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) having the patients screened and triaged. I also reply to secure messages and take phone calls. I really encourage the use of virtual care, so I’ll also conduct video visits with our Veterans. If there’s a long gap between visits with their provider, patients really appreciate that extra time that we give them through video visits. When I’m not busy providing direct care, I’m participating in workgroups and pilots to foster process improvements for Veteran care.”
What has been one of your most memorable moments caring for a Veteran?
“There are many memorable moments but one that stands out is when I was working with a Veteran who was new to VA. She hadn’t been receiving health care out of fear that something might be wrong, and she was experiencing very high stress levels and high blood pressure. I helped get her started on virtual visits in between appointments to help monitor her blood pressure and now, a year and a half later, she’s still doing an exercise program, de-stressing, and feeling so much better.
I follow up with her every month via video visit to help keep the momentum going. As nurses, we really need to pay attention to what a specific patient might need so we can help them feel better. She has a visit coming up and she says she can’t wait to come in and see me!”
What advice would you give to a nurse thinking about applying to VA?
“Come in ready to share your experiences and participate in improvements. If there’s something you see that could be better, don’t be afraid to speak up and help. Everything we do is for the Veterans, and when it’s rewarding, it’s so rewarding.”
Work at VA
Are you ready to join Nurse Schultz and take the first step toward a career that’s All About Veterans?
- CONTACT a VA recruiter.
- LEARN more about applying to VA.
- EXPLORE job openings near you.
