This week, the nation pauses to celebrate nurses — and at UHS, we want to begin by saying, thank you. Thank you to all of our nurses who provide excellent patient care each and every day. As the healthcare leader in our community, we are only as strong as our teams across the UHS System who answer the call at all hours. Nursing is at the heart of our organization. The trust our patients and families place in us is grounded in team-based, interdisciplinary care, with nursing playing a critical role.
Today, our nursing teams span a wide range of skilled professionals who serve on the front lines and behind the scenes, including licensed nurses, nursing assistants, mental health techs, support staff, and members of interdisciplinary care teams. In every inpatient and outpatient setting, each nurse plays an essential and irreplaceable role.
"At UHS, we strive to provide a patient experience that is second to none, and our nursing teams are at the heart of that experience. Whether you’re a patient at one of our hospitals, primary or specialty care clinics, walk-ins, or receiving care in your own home or long term care, our nursing staff will be there to support you. They provide for not just every medical need, but for every facet of your overall well-being.” — Peggy Thomas, RN, Vice President for Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer, UHS
Nursing Excellence
This year, UHS has made a meaningful commitment to investing in the future of nursing — and one of the most significant expressions of that commitment is our Journey to Magnet recognition, made possible through funding from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.
Magnet designation, awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), is the highest national recognition a healthcare organization can earn for nursing practice. But this journey is about far more than earning a credential. It is about advancing a culture around quality and safety where nurses are empowered, where shared governance is real, where professional development is championed, and where patient outcomes reflect the excellence of the people delivering that care.
Through this initiative, UHS is preparing nurses to meet the evolving needs of our communities while shaping an equitable, resilient, and forward-thinking healthcare system.
Excellence in the patient experience is made possible through nursing excellence. Every reassuring word, every careful hand-off, every moment of advocacy on behalf of a patient — these are the things that define who we are as a health system. Across UHS, nursing teams partner closely with every member of the patient care team, bringing coordinated, responsive care to every encounter.
“The care we provide at UHS isn’t about the expertise of any one provider — it is the result of coordinated collaboration between every member of the care team. Our nursing staff, who are often on the frontlines of patient care, are an essential part of that partnership that ensures the best patient experience.” — John M. Carrigg, President and CEO, UHS
At UHS, the nursing staff are empowered to lead councils that shape practice and improve patient care outcomes. Their leadership is strengthened by close collaboration with nursing support staff and interdisciplinary colleagues, whose insights and daily experience inform care delivery at every level.
Compassion Beyond Clinical Care
We are committed — deeply and seriously — to supporting our nurses. Supporting their growth. Supporting their well-being. Supporting a workplace where they feel heard, valued, and equipped to do their best work. And we recognize that the work our nursing teams do extends far beyond clinical responsibilities.
In addition to the skilled care they provide, our nurses offer emotional support to patients and their loved ones — helping them understand care plans, addressing concerns, and honoring each patient’s physical, emotional, cultural, and spiritual needs. That kind of compassion cannot be taught in a classroom. It is who they are.
“Our nursing teams carry compassion beyond our walls and into the community, where every act of care, no matter how small, makes a lasting difference.” — Laura Northrup, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, UHS Delaware Valley Hospital
Building the Future of Nursing
UHS demonstrates its commitment to nursing excellence through a robust set of recognition programs that honor both licensed nurses and non-licensed nursing support staff, because outstanding patient care is always the result of the whole team.
For those who are ready to advance or begin their healthcare career, UHS offers a comprehensive Education Incentive Program that removes barriers to those entering the nursing profession. Through these programs, UHS covers full tuition and fees for the following degree tracks and certifications:
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Registered Nurse — Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- ASN to BSN Bridge
- Surgical Technology (Associate’s Degree)
“Building the next generation of nurses is important to us at UHS. We believe that investing in nurses is investing in the communities we serve — and these programs are proof of that commitment.” — Dave Finney, RN, Vice President of Nursing, UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital
This week, and every week, we are proud to say: our nurses are seen, they are valued, and they are extraordinary. Thank you, nurses, for being the heart of UHS.