Page 7 - 2016 Nursing Annual Report | Summa Health
P. 7
Susan Oberholtzer, BSN, RN (left)
and Tiffany Dillon, BSN, RN
Dillon got to observe a bariatric surgery and spent time at The LPN to BSN program was only one initiative Summa
SummaCare seeing the insurance side of the healthcare Health adopted to improve its BSN rates. The decision
industry. was made to almost exclusively hire RNs with BSN or
higher nursing degrees and if an RN was hired without it,
They each graduated from The University of Akron with a they would need to obtain their BSN degree within two
4.0. Oberholtzer was named Nursing Student of the Year years of being hired by Summa Health System. Thanks to
and both were inducted into the Delta Omega Chapter the generous support of the Women’s Board of Summa
of Sigma Theta Tau International, the Honor Society of Health System, RNs can apply for the RN to BSN Tuition
Nursing. Dillon was named Unit Supervisor shortly after Loan Program to cover the cost of tuition. RNs must meet
graduation and recently has become a Unit Director. performance standards and maintain grades of C or better
in their classes and by fulfilling a work commitment that
Dillon and Oberholtzer said none of it would have been equals the time in the tuition loan program, their Tuition
possible without the work of our CNO Lanie Ward, the rest Loan is forgiven. In 2017 Lanie Ward approved a reduction
of the nursing leadership team, and the support of their in wait time to be eligible for this program. Now RNs can
supervisors and co-workers. apply twice a year, as soon as their new hire probationary
period is completed.
“It was really challenging and I commend them,” said
Christine Benson, MSN, RN-BC, Director of Professional The commitment to education has paid off. At the end of
Practice and the Magnet Program. “Nursing Leadership 2012, Summa Health’s BSN rate for Summa Health System
worked with them to make sure there wouldn’t be issues – Akron and St. Thomas Campuses was 65.57 percent.
with their schedules and had days off to make sure they In 2017, it is a whopping 78.9 percent for both locations.
got the classes they needed.” Summa Health System – Barberton and Wadsworth
Campuses are not far behind at 78 percent.
“They could have just let us go,” said Dillon. “But they gave
us this opportunity, and we really appreciate that they had “I don’t think it will take three years to hit that 80 percent
trust in us.” number,” said Benson. “As we hire more and more nurses
with their BSN, and continue to support those who are in
Dillon isn’t done with school just yet. She recently started BSN programs, we’re going to meet it.”
a Master of Science in nursing program.
2016 Nursing Annual Report 7
