Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has recently signed a new contract with more than 2,000 registered nurses represented by SEIU. The agreement reaffirms the hospital’s reputation as an employer of choice for nurses in the region and addresses staffing needs through new initiatives.
Michele Szkolnicki, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Hershey, stated that retaining dedicated and highly skilled nurses was the top priority during negotiations. She expressed satisfaction with achieving this new contract for the valued nurses at the medical center, which aims to ensure that patients will always receive exceptional specialized care.
Key highlights of the new contract include market-driven wage increases for each of the three years covered by the contract, enhanced parental leave to provide a better work-life balance for new parents, and initiatives to address staffing needs. This underscores the continued commitment to the hospital’s staff by adjusting wages to match current market conditions and remain competitive in recruiting the best nursing talent.
The new agreement takes effect from April 24 and remains in force until March 31, 2027. It is part of ongoing efforts to adapt to changes in the healthcare industry and reduce overall costs by decreasing reliance on external agency nurses. For further assistance accessing this content or to request it in a different format, individuals can reach out to Penn State Health Marketing & Communications via email.
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