Geisinger Health System launches Nursing Institute

DANVILLE, Pa., May 8, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of its commitment to outstanding patient care, overall nursing excellence and innovation in nursing practice, Geisinger Health System announced today the creation of the Geisinger Nursing Institute.

The new Nursing Institute will build on the health system's foundation of excellence and innovation and assure that nurses remain "the very heart of our commitment to patient care and medical excellence," said Geisinger's Chief Nursing Officer and Executive Vice President Susan Robel, R.N., BSN, MHA, who is leading the endeavor.

Geisinger employs nearly 6,000 nurses across its expansive health system and is recruiting to hire several hundred more. For nearly ten years, the health system's flagship hospital, Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, has been designated a Magnet hospital, an award given to less than 9 percent of U.S. hospitals based on strength and quality of their nursing programs.

"The new Geisinger Nursing Institute will build upon our existing benchmarks and investments," said Robel, who is also the system's Chief Patient Experience Officer. "By providing our nurses more support, tools and skills they need to do their jobs, we can enhance job satisfaction all while improving patient outcomes, reducing healthcare costs and expanding the nursing profession to better serve our patients now and in the future."

The Geisinger Nursing Institute will serve as a governing body with an advocacy component, overseeing the practice and education of nurses to ensure they are adequately represented across the organization and in leadership positions. The Nursing Institute will align nursing practice, career advancement and education, clinical excellence and recruitment and retention.

"We will continue to attract the best and brightest to become Geisinger nurses," said Geisinger President and CEO David T. Feinberg, M.D., MBA. "Geisinger nurses hold a very special distinction. They are recognized nationally for their experience, knowledge, professionalism and compassionate, high-quality care. The Geisinger Nursing Institute reinforces our prominent nursing reputation and will serve as a beacon to attract new nurses to the Geisinger family."

The implementation and evolution of the Geisinger Nursing Institute will include input and collaboration from nurses and nurse leaders across the health system.   

"We're especially excited to hear from and work alongside our nurses. We are confident their ideas and experiences will provide a strong foundation for our efforts moving forward," Robel said.

About Geisinger
Geisinger Health System is an integrated health services organization widely recognized for its innovative use of the electronic health record and the development of innovative care delivery models such as ProvenHealth Navigator®, ProvenCare® and ProvenExperience®. As one of the nation's largest health service organizations, Geisinger serves more than 3 million residents throughout 45 counties in central, south-central and northeast Pennsylvania, and also in southern New Jersey at AtlantiCare, a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient. In 2017, the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine became the newest member of the Geisinger Family. The physician-led system is comprised of approximately 30,000 employees, including nearly 1,600 employed physicians, 12 hospital campuses, two research centers, and a 551,000-member health plan, all of which leverage an estimated $10.5 billion positive impact on the Pennsylvania and New Jersey economies. Geisinger has repeatedly garnered national accolades for integration, quality and service. In addition to fulfilling its patient care mission, Geisinger has a long-standing commitment to medical education, research and community service. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

CONTACT: Mike Ferlazzo, 570-214-7410, 515-450-2908 (c), [email protected]

SOURCE Geisinger Health System