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What is Magnet® status and why is it important?

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Welcome to the Excellence in Nursing blog. With this series I hope to speak to an audience that might be new to the concept of Magnet status — this may include nurses new to the profession, nurses pursuing advanced degrees, and aspiring nurse leaders. Interest in this blog series could also extend to a broader audience, including friends, family, and other healthcare colleagues.

So, whether you are a seasoned healthcare professional or simply curious about Magnet designation, this blog is an ideal starting point for anyone seeking a basic introduction to what Magnet status entails and why it holds such vital importance to the nursing profession.

While many readers may already be familiar with Magnet, I felt it was important to do a deep dive on this topic because (a) when I was first introduced to the Magnet program (many moons ago), I remember having a hard time wrapping my head around the concepts and (b) I often struggled to find content online that was relatable to my experience or spoke to me personally.

So, in this initial blog post, I’ll cover the Magnet basics: the history of Magnet; the evolution of the program; some of the benefits of Magnet; and how organizations can apply for and attain Magnet status. Follow along with this series as I cover how the Magnet Recognition Program benefits patients, nurses, and organizations.

First things first, what exactly is Magnet?

Achieving Magnet status (for nurses and healthcare organizations) is a big deal — at the time of this posting, less than 10% of healthcare organizations across the nation have attained Magnet status. In addition, with each subsequent 4-year Magnet designation cycle, the bar is raised — meaning Magnet organizations are expected to continually improve and elevate their practice.

Magnet designation is the highest honor awarded to healthcare organizations for demonstrating excellence in professional nursing practice. The designation recognizes that an organization has achieved nursing excellence in a variety of areas such as organizational leadership, nurse empowerment, nursing innovation, patient outcomes, and more.

Essentially, achieving Magnet status is to the nursing profession and healthcare organizations what achieving a Michelin Star is to chefs and restaurants. Magnet status conveys that the organization represents the very best of the best in nursing. And while these ratings bring prestige to the organization as a whole, they also benefit nurses working within these organizations — as well as other healthcare professionals and patients.

Nurses working within Magnet organizations can, and do, take great pride in working in an environment where excellence in nursing practice is among the highest of priorities. Likewise, patients receiving care in Magnet organizations can take comfort in knowing they receive the highest level of care available.

Why and how the Magnet Recognition Program got started; a brief history

So, why and how did the Magnet Recognition Program get started? The whole idea of Magnet Recognition started back in the 1980s when healthcare organizations were experiencing a crisis in nurse staffing. There were already several publications that had identified why nurses were leaving organizations; however, no one had actually taken a look at what was causing nurses to stay and why some organizations were not experiencing the same degree of attrition. In 1983, researchers from the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) [a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA)] set out to understand why some organizations were better at retaining their nurses than others. They found that some organizations had a “magnetic” quality that both attracted and retained nurses. Hence the term "magnet" was used to describe these organizations.

The researchers from the AAN explored the characteristics of these "magnet" organizations to understand what made them so special. Their investigation revealed a shared set of 14 characteristics, which they called the 14 “Forces of Magnetism” (FOM). Among these defining characteristics were a supportive work environment, strong nursing leadership, strong nurse/physician relationships, and a high commitment to providing top-notch patient care. These qualities set organizations apart and made them successful in keeping their nurses satisfied and engaged.

Based on the best-practice findings from this research, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) created the “Magnet Hospital Recognition Program for Excellence in Nursing Services” in 1990 (thankfully, the name would be shortened in 2002 to the “Magnet Recognition Program”). The program aimed to recognize healthcare organizations that met high standards of nursing excellence, patient outcomes, and innovation in nursing practice. The first organization to receive Magnet Recognition was the University of Washington Medical Center (Seattle) in 1994.

How has the Magnet Recognition Program changed and evolved?

In 2008, Magnet introduced changes to keep up with the times; they created a new vision, as well as a fresh model and conceptual framework. The ANCC grouped the original 14 FOM into five key components. These components are: Transformational Leadership; Structural Empowerment; Exemplary Professional Practice; New Knowledge, Innovations, & Improvements; and Empirical Outcomes (components are detailed below). The new Magnet Model reflects a greater focus on measuring outcomes, while still retaining the 14 FOM grouped within the components.

Over the past decade, the Magnet Recognition Program has grown significantly, and today there are over 600 Magnet organizations globally, with 10 countries outside the United States (US) represented. The growth of the Magnet Recognition Program within the US is evident, with over 590 organizations achieving this esteemed recognition. As of 2021, the percentage of US hospitals with Magnet recognition has risen to 9.8%, marking a notable increase from 7.8% in 2011. Leading the way, Texas, California, New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania stand out as the top five states with the highest number of Magnet-recognized organizations.

Internationally, the Magnet Recognition Program has also experienced remarkable expansion over the past decade. One exciting global initiative is Magnet4Europe, which has ignited a wave of enthusiasm and momentum for Magnet adoption across Europe. This initiative has facilitated partnerships between over 60 organizations from Belgium, England, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, and Norway and established US Magnet-recognized organizations. These collaborations are instrumental in guiding these European entities on their path toward achieving Magnet Recognition.

To stay relevant and responsive, the ANCC updates Magnet standards and requirements approximately every four years. This ensures that standards reflect the latest nursing research and practice, as well as address global issues in nursing and healthcare.

The 5 Magnet Model Components: Let's break it down a bit

  • Transformational Leadership is the kind of leadership that inspires and motivates others to do their best. It's about having leaders who can guide and support the nurses in a way that brings out their full potential.

  • Structural Empowerment is all about creating a work environment where nurses have the power and resources they need to do their jobs effectively. It's about giving them a voice and involving them in the decision-making process.

  • Exemplary Professional Practice focuses on promoting high standards of nursing practice. It's about encouraging nurses to continually improve their skills and knowledge to provide the best care possible.

  • New Knowledge, Innovations, & Improvements are about fostering a culture of innovation and encouraging the adoption of new ideas and practices in nursing. It's about staying up-to-date with the latest research and finding ways to improve patient care.

  • Finally, Empirical Outcomes are all about measuring the impact of nursing care on patient outcomes, as well as measuring various nursing-specific workforce outcomes. It's about using data and evidence to assess the effectiveness of nursing and organizational practices and making improvements based on those findings.

Impact of Magnet status on patient, nursing, and organizational outcomes

Research has shown that Magnet organizations excel in nursing and patient outcomes and financial performance. Multiple studies have found that Magnet organizations consistently outperform non-Magnet organizations in a variety areas.

For one, Magnet organizations tend to have higher nurse job satisfaction than non-Magnet organizations. That means nurses working in Magnet organizations are generally happier and more engaged in their work. In addition, these organizations also tend to have lower nurse turnover rates — meaning nurses are more likely to stick around.

Magnet organizations also fare better when it comes to patient outcomes. Many studies have found that these organizations have lower mortality rates, fewer adverse events, and higher overall patient satisfaction. In simpler terms, patients in Magnet organizations tend to have a better chance of recovery, experience fewer complications, and have an overall better experience.

Now, you might wonder why this is so important. Well, the impact of these nursing and patient outcomes goes beyond just the quality of care. It actually affects the overall performance of the organization. Magnet organizations tend to be more stable and have better growth potential. Ultimately, Magnet status can have a positive impact on an organization’s financial performance.

If you're interested in diving deeper into the specific topics discussed above, you can check out our blog posts exploring how Magnet status specifically benefits patients, nurses, and organizations.

So, how does the Magnet process work? How does an organization get designated?

Taking an organization through the Magnet submission process is no minor task — though it can be very rewarding.

Not all organizations that apply for this designation receive it — the process is quite challenging. It requires strong organizational practices, meticulous record-keeping, thorough data analysis, and robust project management. But once achieved, Magnet designation is a huge accomplishment — recognizing an organization’s commitment to the highest quality of care.

So, if a healthcare organization wants to apply for Magnet Recognition, the first thing they need to do is conduct a self-assessment to determine if they're ready. This involves looking at their nursing practices, policies, and outcomes and comparing them against the Magnet criteria. It's similar to a checklist which is used to help the organization see where they stand and where they need to improve. Once they've completed this self-assessment and planned any improvements that need to take place to meet the Magnet standards, they're ready to move forward.

The next step is to submit an application to the ANCC, which is then followed by rigorous documentation. This documentation can take 1-2 years to complete and includes information about the organization’s nursing practices and outcomes. It's like putting together a huge organizational portfolio to showcase their excellence in nursing care.

The ANCC then conducts an extensive review that includes an on-site visit by a team of Magnet appraisers. These appraisers meet with nurses, physicians, and other staff members to get a full picture of the organization's nursing culture and practices. It's a comprehensive evaluation to see if the organization truly meets the standards for Magnet Recognition.

After all these assessments and evaluations, the appraisers provide a detailed report to the ANCC. This report plays a crucial role in determining whether the organization has met the standards for Magnet Recognition. If they pass the test, they'll receive Magnet designation for a period of four years.

So, achieving Magnet Recognition can be a challenging and demanding endeavor. It requires an organizational assessment, application submission, rigorous documentation, on-site visits, and meeting the standards set by the ANCC. And for those organizations that succeed, it is well-deserved recognition of their nursing excellence — plus, you get a cool Magnet lapel pin 😀

Below is an outline of KSC’s 7-stage approach to achieving Magnet status:

  1. Organizational Analysis & Evaluation

  2. Gap Prioritization & Strategy Development

  3. Gap Closure Execution & Oversight

  4. Magnet Project Plan & Design

  5. Magnet Project Documentation & Execution

  6. Magnet Site Visit Preparation

  7. Celebrating Success & Building Momentum

Let’s wrap it up…

To wrap it up, the Magnet Recognition Program is like a gold star for organizations that go above and beyond in providing top-notch patient care and creating a great place for nurses to work. But achieving Magnet status can be a difficult and long road (especially if it’s your first designation). Having a dedicated Magnet consultant offers peace of mind, mitigates risk, ensures project continuity, and serves as a guide throughout your unique journey to Magnet status.

Book your strategy call to see how Katie Stephens Consulting provides holistic Magnet coaching, mentorship and expertise across every stage of your Magnet journey.

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