The Epoch Times
The Epoch Times
AD
The Epoch Times
Support Us
SHARE
USRegional & State NewsRegional News

Pennsylvania Hospital System Mitigates Worker Shortage With Bonuses, Vaccine Deferrals

Copy
Facebook
X
Truth
Gettr
LinkedIn
Telegram
Email
Save
Pennsylvania Hospital System Mitigates Worker Shortage With Bonuses, Vaccine Deferrals
A nurse holds a syringe with Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine in Los Angeles, Calif., on Aug. 22, 2021. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
Beth Brelje
By Beth Brelje
10/19/2021Updated: 10/19/2021

As a worker shortage plagues most businesses, St. Luke’s University Health Network is using several strategies to mitigate employee loss, including how it administers the federal vaccine mandate, and large sign-on bonuses for new workers.

St. Luke’s operates 12 hospitals and more than 300 outpatient locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The health system recently issued a press release announcing that it has achieved its vaccine mandate goal.

Natural immunity and health impacts have been considered at St. Luke’s University Health Network as it navigates President Joe Biden’s employee vaccine mandate requiring vaccination or termination.

While some companies are only now announcing vaccine policies, St. Luke’s announced a vaccine mandate on Aug. 9, requiring that all employees without exemptions or deferrals be vaccinated by Sept. 25. Ultimately 668 workers skipped the vaccine, receiving exemptions or deferrals from St. Luke’s.

By the Sept. 25 deadline, 68 full-time employees and 87 part-time/per diem employees chose not to become vaccinated and resigned, the press release said.

Of workers who did not get vaccinated, 46 received a medical exemption, 406 were granted a religious exemption, and 216 were granted a temporary deferral for pregnancy or a positive COVID-19 test within the last year.

Those with exemptions or temporary deferrals will undergo weekly COVID-19 tests as a condition of continued employment.

Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, a St. Luke’s infectious disease and internal medicine specialist, stressed during an appearance on FOX News that the deferrals for pregnancy or a positive COVID-19 test within the last year are temporary and that the health system is committed to employees getting the COVID-19 vaccine. The deferral allows more time to make a decision and is not a permanent exemption.

Natural immunity can provide protection that is equal or superior to the vaccine, Jahre said.

To attract and retain new employees, St. Luke’s is offering registered nurse and graduate nurse bonuses of $20,000 for all acute care and $15,000 for all specialty areas, in exchange for a 2-year commitment, according to its website. New time-off benefits are also being offered.

Beth Brelje
Beth Brelje
Reporter
Beth Brelje is a former reporter with The Epoch Times. Ms. Brelje previously worked in radio for 20 years and after moving to print, worked at Pocono Record and Reading Eagle.
Author’s Selected Articles

Pennsylvania House Calls for State Probe of Trump Assassination Attempt

Jul 19, 2024
Pennsylvania House Calls for State Probe of Trump Assassination Attempt

After Injured Trump Arrived at Pennsylvania Hospital, ER Patients Prayed

Jul 16, 2024
After Injured Trump Arrived at Pennsylvania Hospital, ER Patients Prayed

Eyewitness Describes Man With Rifle Crawling Up Roof Near Trump Rally

Jul 14, 2024
Eyewitness Describes Man With Rifle Crawling Up Roof Near Trump Rally

Rally Witnesses Describe Moments as Gunman Attempts to Assassinate Trump

Jul 14, 2024
Rally Witnesses Describe Moments as Gunman Attempts to Assassinate Trump
Related Topics
Vaccine
nurse
covid 19
natural immunity
Save
The Epoch Times
Copyright © 2000 - 2025 The Epoch Times Association Inc. All Rights Reserved.