Overseen by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the recognition program offers hospitals and facilities an opportunity to honor its nurses’ hard work. Hospitals that participate in this exclusive program are known for offering quality patient care, superior nursing practices and high levels of patient satisfaction.

The following steps can help hospitals better understand what the Magnet® recognition process entails and how to navigate the Magnet journey.

Individual organizations and healthcare systems may submit a Magnet Recognition Program online application and its corresponding fee at any time, according to the ANCC website. Facilities may submit required written supporting documentation as an email attachment on dates specified by the ANCC throughout the year.

Written supporting documentation includes the CNO's curriculum vitae or résumé, the facility's organizational chart, the nursing department's organizational chart, eligibility documentation for both nurse managers and nurse leaders and a nationally benchmarked survey tool for assessing nursing satisfaction, according to the website.

To continue to benefit from Magnet designation after the initial four-year period, facilities must apply to the ANCC for Magnet redesignation. This process generally begins three years after Magnet designation to allow adequate time for application and consideration.

The requires information, data and supplemental documents that reflect the application manual in effect at time of documentation submission. Facilities that meet the scoring threshold of excellence will require a site visit before the Commission on Magnet renders its decision. Nurses who work at Magnet-designated hospitals often benefit from the high quality of service and collaborative culture that these facilities promote. This additional recognition offers a facility’s nurses an opportunity to be recognized for their work. For those facilities looking to earn the recognition, it offers the nursing team a unique opportunity to work toward important benchmarks and improve patient services. Nurses who are looking to work at Magnet-designated hospitals can start by advancing their own education with an online nursing degree. An advanced degree can make nurses more attractive candidates for hospitals and facilities striving for excellence.