Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Michele Szkolnicki, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Jul 28, 2025
Michelle Szkolnicki, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, shares her extensive experience in nursing and innovative strategies for the healthcare sector. She discusses restoration of nursing staffing post-COVID, focusing on mental health support and tackling staffing shortages. Szkolnicki highlights creative recruitment methods involving current staff and diverse roles to enhance patient care. Leadership insights stress the value of experienced nurses and comprehensive solutions over quick fixes.
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COVID Disrupted Nursing Practice
- Michelle Szkolnicki shared how COVID disrupted nursing practices and caused staffing challenges.
- Her team has focused on rebuilding nursing workforce and prioritizing mental health supports for staff recovery.
Innovative Nursing Recruitment Strategies
- Use varied strategies to rebuild nursing staff, including recruiting agency nurses and engaging nurses in recruitment.
- Monitor new hires closely in the first 90 days to improve retention and reduce turnover rates.
Creative Workforce Role Structuring
- Diversify workforce roles to support nursing by incorporating staff-facing chaplains and recreational therapists.
- Use nursing leadership to direct care provided by other professionals on the floor.