The current Magnet model consolidated the original model’s 14 Forces of Magnetism and puts greater emphasis on evidence-based outcomes.

Magnet supporters say there are tangible, measurable differences between hospitals that have achieved the coveted status and those that have not. Magnet hospitals tend to have lower turnover and vacancy rates, a higher average length of employment and their nurses tend to be more highly educated. Most important, much research suggests they outperform non-Magnet hospitals in terms of national patient outcomes.

“We’ve earned the reputation as the gold standard for recognizing superior nursing and quality patient care,” said Jeff Doucette, DNP, RN, vice president of the Magnet Recognition Program® and Pathway to Excellence® at the American Nurses Credentialing Center in Silver Spring, Md.

As a nurse who worked in a Magnet hospital, Doucette understands why the designation is so important.

“I looked for a Magnet organization because I knew patient care would be collaborative, nurses would have a voice at the table in terms of clinical decision-making and nurses would be empowered,” he said.

Wendy Singleton, MSN, APRN, ANP, is director of nursing administration, clinical informatics and patient experience at Woman's Hospital in Baton Rouge, La. She also is in charge of its Magnet program. The hospital recently earned the prestigious recognition for the third time. “Magnet has allowed us to create better patient outcomes and focus more on innovation and evidence-based practice,” she said. “It reinforces the importance of bedside nurses in making decisions that affect patient care. It’s improved who we are, without a doubt. The shared governance Magnet requirement means RNs are at the table when making decisions that affect their practice and determines how we care for our patients.”

Tina Mammone, PhD, RN, is vice president and chief nursing officer at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center.

“Getting that structural empowerment at the unit level is so important,” she said. “Our unit-based councils have the best ideas on how to address a challenge on a particular unit and how to advance nursing standards.”

Christine Krall, MSN, RN, OCN, is director for Magnet recognition and shared governance at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, which earned its first designation in 2013. During the center’s Magnet journey, its nurses cultivated their data collection skills to carefully document improvements to patient care. ““The challenge for us was getting the mindset around data collection,” she said. “As nurses, we see a problem, we fix it. But [data] puts tangible value to our nurses. We had great stories, but no data. By meeting stringent Magnet standards, the organization now has both, along with a professional practice model that puts patients and family at the center of everything nurses do.” Professional development is a key part of the program, which explains why Magnet nurses tend to have more degrees and/or certifications. Being affiliated with OSU and offering tuition reimbursement means the cancer center easily attracts nurses who are passionate about furthering their education, Krall said.