What is Magnet Nursing?

What is Magnet Nursing?

An award given by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC.) Given to fewer than two percent of hospitals nationwide, the Magnet Recognition Program for Excellence in Nursing Services is granted to health care organizations providing the very best nursing care and practices. As a result, nurses are often drawn to these hospitals like "magnets", a boon for Georgetown in an era of nursing shortages.

Criteria for the designation include meeting high nursing standards for improving the quality of patient care, strong nursing leadership, support for continuing education and development, recognition, and an understanding of ethnic diversity among patients, families and fellow health care workers.

According to the application for Magnet, some similar characteristics of hospitals with Magnet status include the following:

reduced rates of Medicare mortality and morbidity

decreased nurse "burn-out" or reports of dissatisfaction

increased patient satisfaction

more educated nurse

positive relationships with doctors

nurses at Magnet status hospitals feel they have adequate support, a strong nurse administrator and feel their work is greatly appreciated.

Magnet hospitals had a vacancy rate of 9.6%, compared to 12.7% in acute care hospitals and 18.5% at long-term facilities without Magnet status, according to a 2001 study by the American Healthcare Association.