Jefferson Health deploying ‘S.E.A.L. Team’ to Lehigh Valley

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A Jefferson Health nursing program is coming to the Lehigh Valley. 

The health network said it is expanding its Nursing S.E.A.L. to Lehigh Valley Health Network hospitals.  

The Nursing S.E.A.L. Team was built on the concept of an elite team of special forces. It stands for Service, Excellence, Advocacy and Leadership.  

Nurses in the program are deployed to work in various departments, including medical-surgical/ telemetry, critical care and emergency services. 

“S.E.A.L. Team nurses will float among hospitals throughout Jefferson’s Lehigh Valley region, including our neighborhood hospitals,” said Sarah Rinker-Puentes patient care manager for the Nursing S.E.A.L. Team. “Every two to six weeks, S.E.A.L nurses are deployed based on a review of operational needs to ensure staffing resources align with patient care demands across the region.” 

Jefferson Health launched the Nursing S.E.A.L. Team in 2022 with 25 registered nurses. The program expanded in 2024, Now, with the Lehigh Valley region addition, the team will soon be comprised of 236 nurses. 

“We recognize how newer generations of nurses value broader clinical exposure,” said Daniel Hudson, senior vice president of nursing operations, CNO ambulatory nursing, Jefferson Health. “We’re matching these preferences with this program, while ensuring we meet our patients’ needs.” 

Along with improved flexibility and staffing, the program since its inception has contributed to a reduction in the reliance on agency nurses, resulting in a greater than 75% drop. 

“Jefferson Health has continued to receive positive feedback from S.E.A.L. Team nurses, which has prompted this program’s expansion to the Lehigh Valley,” said Kate FitzPatrick, chief nursing executive officer at Jefferson Health. “Jefferson’s Nursing S.E.A.L. Team is part of the organization’s comprehensive strategy for nursing workforce optimization. Additional initiatives include the Virtual Nurse Program and Nurse Emeritus Program.” 

“Professionally, I have become a more well-rounded nurse,” Eric-Scott Purnell said about joining the S.E.A.L. Team. “Working with such a wide variety of patients, clinicians and colleagues has helped me grow immensely. Personally, I am happier and less stressed, as the flexibility of scheduling has made it easy to maintain my life outside of work.” 

The Lehigh Valley region is recruiting a total of 86 registered nurses for the Nursing S.E.A.L. Team.  

The first cohort of nurses begins orientation in December and will be deployed in January.