How to achieve Magnet accreditation

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6 steps can help hospitals in their Magnet journey

EDITOR'S NOTE: Content for this article provided by Maryville University Online Nursing Programs.

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.

In addition to submitting a written application and supporting documentation, all facilities must complete a site visit with an ANCC appraisal team. This site visit enables program representatives to confirm the information included in the application and to assess practice operations. After the site visit, the appraisal team submits a report to the Commission on Magnet, which makes the final decision on whether to grant Magnet recognition.

Arrange a site visit

Hospitals across the nation strive to join the Magnet Recognition Program® as a reflection of high standards of nursing excellence.

Begin the Magnet journey

Before applying for the Magnet Recognition Program, most hospitals benefit from undergoing a self-assessment. By analyzing staff, facilities and procedures, hospitals can better understand how they compare to the top-ranked facilities in the nation, and where there are opportunities for improvement. The ANCC recommends creating action plans to improve performance levels and ensuring all levels of leadership support pursuing Magnet recognition.

Understand eligibility requirements

Organizations must meet certain eligibility requirements to be considered for the Magnet Recognition Program. To be eligible, the ANCC states the facility must comply with federal laws pertaining to nurses in the workplace. The facility must employ a master’s-prepared individual who serves as the CNO overseeing nursing practice and standards for the organization. The hospital also should employ a number of nurse managers and leaders who assist with managing staff and processes. Registered nurses in leadership roles must hold at least bachelor's degrees in nursing.

Submit the Magnet application

Follow interim monitoring guidelines

The ANCC awards Magnet recognition status for four-year terms. Upon receiving Magnet designation, however, hospitals must continue to follow program guidelines and complete interim monitoring requirements established by the ANCC. By predetermined annual deadlines, facilities must submit Demographic Data Collection Tool Reports. During the second interim year, facilities must submit an Interim Monitoring Report and complete a series of phone conversations with a Magnet analyst. If facilities no longer meet program guidelines and standards, the Magnet Commission may require a site visit or additional data.

Apply for Magnet redesignation

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 Magnet redesignation application 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.

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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.