magnet hospitals

Magnet status refers to an award which is bestowed to hospitals that meet some standards, set by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC), of measuring strength and quality of nursing. A hospital that has received this award is suggested to be one where nursing delivers quality patient care and thus outstanding patient outcomes. In this kind of a hospital, nurses have a high degree of job satisfaction and there is low rate of staff nurse turnover, as well as suitable means of resolving grievances. Hospitals with a Magnet status is also suggested to be one where nurses are involved in data collection as well as in making decisions on the delivery of patient care. It is the point of view that the leadership in the hospital values nurses and have them taking part in the shaping of research-based practice. The leadership motivates and rewards the nurses with the aim of advancing the practice (The Center for Nursing Advocacy, 2008). ANCC proclaims that “A growing body of research indicates that Magnet hospitals have higher percentages of satisfied RNs, lower RN turnover and vacancy, improved clinical outcomes and improved patient satisfaction” (Broom and Tilbury 2007: 115). For a hospital to qualify for a Magnet status there should be open communication between the leaders, nurses and the other team members in the health care provision. There should also be a suitable personnel mix with the aim of attaining the best patient outcomes. The American Nurses’ Credentialing Center also looks at the general working environment for the staff. Nurses need to understand the principles of ANCC’s Magnet certification and to play an active role in the efforts to gain certification for their hospitals. For an organization to achieve the Magnet status there must be hard work and evidence of a strong commitment to nursing. There is also the need to undergo major organizational changes in the efforts to meet the strict requirements by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (The Center for Nursing Advocacy, 2008). There are various principles that the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center looks at in the decision to award a hospital the Magnet status. The nurses and leadership of the hospital should be aware that the status is given to hospitals that have excellent patient outcomes; high level of job satisfaction; low staff turnover; proper grievance resolution; involvement of nurses in data collection; involvement of nurses in decision making in patient care delivery; and encourage advancing nursing practice education. The hospital should also be one where there is respect and valuing of nurses by the leaders in the hospital (Broom and Tilbury, 2007). In the current health care environment, there is an overwhelming issue of nursing shortage and nurse turnover. Various efforts have been put by the leaders in health care to address these issues. Magnet designated hospitals report many competitive benefits. One of the benefits of a Magnet hospital is the attraction of nurses looking for looking for quality hospitals to practice in. hospitals which have attained the Magnet status normally have an edge over others which have not. With Magnet status, a hospital reports decreased in employee turnover rates compared to other hospitals. There is also an increase in the confidence of the public towards the hospital. This makes it possible for then hospital to attract not only qualified nurses but also an increased client base. Patients will always tend to seek health care services from a hospital where they are assured excellent patient care and outcome. This also means that the hospital with have increased market share. In a magnet hospital, there is creation of a culture of respect, integrity and empowerment. This means that working relationships within the hospital will be positive. This is a huge benefit for the organization as team working is one of the most important elements of effective health care provision. Leadership in a Magnet hospital motivates and rewards employees. From this perspective, there is increased morale on the part of the employees (Wise, 2009). Magnet status is not for every hospital. This is because working towards magnet status entails substantial expense, acquisition of the correct time, staff, and energy to finish the sophisticated process. This translates to money (Wise, 2009). It is also important to note that once a hospital earns the Magnet status, it is not for a life time. This means that there is work in its maintenance. The status is maintained through periodic reports and a re-visit. Magnet status is an investment that requires regular input of the stakeholders. Sluggish hospitals can loose their hard-earned Magnet status. This is for those hospitals that fail to maintain their designation. More and more hospitals are realizing the importance of the Magnet status and are working very hard to achieve it (Broom and Tilbury, 2007). References Broom, C. & Tilbury, M. (April/June 2007). "Magnet Status: A Journey, Not a Destination". Journal of Nursing Care Quality 22(2): 113–11 The Center for Nursing Advocacy. (January 2008). What is Magnet status and how’s that whole thing going? Accessed from https://www.nursingadvocacy.org/faq/magnet.html Wise, N.J. (2009). Maintaining Magnet Status: Establishing an Evidence-Based Practice Committee AORN Journal 90(2). 205-213