Realizing Real-world Magnet Benefits

Achieving ANCC Magnet Recognition requires a significant investment from an organization’s nursing staff. But does that investment pay off in real-world ways? If so, how?

One significant benefit involves giving nurses the opportunity to provide input and influence nursing practice. “It really helps expand the autonomy and allows the nurse to practice at the top end of their license,” said Jody Collins, DNP-C, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, system director of clinical excellence and professional development, Memorial Hermann Health System, in an interview. “They can share their voice and have influence over their practice and their practice care environments.”

Of the 14 acute-care Memorial Hermann hospitals eligible for the Magnet Recognition, nine have earned the designation, according to Collins. Recently, the system’s Cypress campus received the ANCC Magnet with Distinction award, which recognizes the highest-performing Magnet organizations around the world.

At Memorial Hermann, nurses have leeway to be involved in professional governance, such as councils and committees, “essentially having a seat at the table so that they can play a part in reimagining care at the bedside,” said Collins. “This helps our nurses grow in their chosen specialty areas of nursing practice and their skills and talent. It allows them to excel in what they’re doing. They have opportunities to be involved and have a voice in the way that they practice.”

Nursing having a voice at the table is a Magnet benefit echoed by Christine Frost, RN, DNP, MBA, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. The Magnet Recognition provides “the framework to guide excellence in the work environment, patient experience and patient outcomes. And the key is to ensure that nursing has a voice at the table, the opportunity to influence and inform and make decisions, and participation in influencing their work environment across the entire facility and at all levels.” Anne Arundel recently received its third Magnet designation.

Frost noted in an interview that Anne Arundel has a shared governance structure and councils. Not only are nurses “invited to participate and give us their perspective and what their experiences are practicing in their work environment, but they are also asked to lead those councils. This really speaks to giving them that opportunity for professional growth and also succession planning.”

Higher Retention 

The Magnet Recognition also helps Memorial Hermann retain talent, noted Collins. “We have a desirable RN retention rate or less turnover than other organizations. We also have many BSN-prepared and professionally certified nurses, which can be associated with higher job satisfaction,” she noted.

“If you are creating and have essentially a culture of excellence and high satisfaction, you will attract and retain top talent. We have an abundance of applicants for our organization and are a desired employer within our community.”

Patient Benefits 

According to Frost, Patient experience and outcomes at Anne Arundel also benefit from Magnet Recognition. “When bedside nurses influence the work environment, it increases their experience. It increases their levels of joy and meaning at work. And when you experience joy and meaning at work, you can translate that to your patients and provide that excellent patient experience consistently.”

“We really dedicate ourselves to patient outcomes,” said Frost. “When we achieve Magnet, it is a very concrete demonstration to our patients, staff, and the community that we are preoccupied with our quality outcomes and that we have structures and processes in place to understand those quality outcomes and focus on continued process improvement.”

Strategic Investment

Achieving Magnet Recognition “encompasses the entire culture of the organization and their dedication to improving health, to being values-driven and seeking opportunities to create healthier communities,” noted Collins. “This is a strategic investment, not only in the nurses, but in the hospitals themselves, the culture, and the communities they serve.”