Effective Feb. 27, Chambersburg Hospital and Waynesboro Hospital will move to a registered nurse (RN) model of patient care.

This shift reduces the need for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) whose scope of practice is limited by licensure.  At Chambersburg Hospital, 28 LPNs are affected by the change.  Five LPNs are affected at Waynesboro Hospital. 

The issue driving the change is a growing need for hospital staff who can take care of more complex medical conditions.  RNs have an education background and set of professional skills that allow them to provide a wider scope of nursing care. 

"As the complexity of our patients' illnesses increases, so does our demand for nursing staff who have received training to take care of those patients," explained Sherri Stahl, Summit Health's Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President for Patient Services.

Several hospitals in the region have moved to this care model over the past 18 months.

All of the LPNs affected by the change will be offered severance packages, career counseling, and other support.  In addition to their severance packages, the LPNs will be eligible to receive unemployment compensation.

"Our LPNs have been a valuable part of our hospital families for many years, so we wanted to give them as many resources as we could to help them make the transition," Stahl said.

Chambersburg Hospital and Waynesboro Hospital have also been offering an "LPN to RN Fast Track" program since 2007. 

The program gave LPNs a full salary while they went back to school to become RNs.  The hospital paid for their tuition and text book costs.  Last year, the full salary was reduced to a daily $100 stipend, but the education costs were still covered by the hospitals.

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Summit Health, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to building a healthier community through leading-edge medical technology, skilled physicians, caring staff, and convenient locations.  Summit Health's comprehensive selection of services and providers includes family physicians, surgeons, specialists, diagnostic services, a women's health center, a fitness center, and two award-winning hospitals. For more information about Summit Health, call (717) 267-3000 or visit www.SummitHealth.org.