Nursing

Gov. Josh Shapiro and state health secretary Dr. Debra Bogen officially launched the Nurse Shortage Assistance Program in Honesdale on Tuesday. It's a $5 million investment made possible by the state budget. The program provides matching state funds to hospitals to attract nursing staff with student loan repayment assistance.

Gov. Josh Shapiro and state health secretary Dr. Debra Bogen discussed a $5 million investment that launched the Nurse Shortage Assistance Program in the 2025/26 state budget during a visit to Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale. The program provides matching state funds to hospitals to attract nursing staff with student loan repayment assistance.

Geisinger College of Health Sciences expects to welcome students to its Geisinger School of Nursing Scranton location in fall 2027, offering associate degrees in nursing (ADNs).

The Wyoming Valley Nurses Association, a local affiliate of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, represents 240 registered nurses at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. The union and new hospital owner Tenor Health Foundation ratified a new three-year contract Monday.

With schools unable to find substitute school nurses, the Moses Taylor Foundation and Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit launched a Travel School Nurse Pilot Program this school year.

Geisinger Life Flight 3, based at the Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton International Airport, or AVP, recently celebrated one year at its new hangar, built from the ground up with COVID-19 grants. The team works with Geisinger’s other Life Flight bases across the region to transport more than 400 patients each month by ground and through air.

Unionized nurses at Geisinger’s Wyoming Valley facilities settled with the company late Friday after months of negotiations, averting a second strike.

The latest proposal comes after the nurses’ five-day strike in February and negotiating sessions on March 25 and 26. Union members said they will not agree to this proposal.

Talks between Geisinger and Luzerne County RNs break down amid renewed negotiations in the wake of last month's five-day strike.

Geisinger and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare PA returned to the negotiating table on day three of the five-day strike.