Frequently asked questions about Magnet
Why Magnet?
Magnet is the “gold standard” for nursing excellence. Our focus should not be to achieve the award but to create a culture that has the best patient outcomes and the best work environment.
How many Magnet Hospitals are in the United States?
Only about 8% of US Hospitals achieve Magnet designation. There are currently 475 Magnet Hospitals in the nation and 34 of those are in California.
What does Magnet status means to patients?
In today’s world, patients are much more educated and discriminating and are seeking objective benchmarks that will aide them in choosing a health care provider. Magnet designation hospitals provide patients and their families with a benchmark by which to measure the quality of care they can expect to receive. The “Magnet” name helps patients identify hospitals where they can find satisfied nurses and expect to receive a higher level of care.
What does Magnet status mean to nurses and the hospital?
Magnet designation means that a “Magnet culture” has been created within the organization. This encourages the nurse to flourish as a professional, focuses on professional autonomy, decision making at the bedside, involves nursing in determining the nurse work environment, provides professional education and promotes leadership. Magnet recognition means that collaborative working relationships are fostered. Teamwork and positive relationships among different departments and disciplines are demonstrated.
Magnet designation improves the quality of patient outcomes. Research shows that Magnet hospitals consistently provide the highest quality of care. The standards that Magnet hospitals must attain through this program are rigorous and they demand continual improvement. Nurses at Magnet Hospitals consistently outperform non-Magnet organizations with better patient outcomes and report higher patient satisfaction rates. Magnet Hospitals report increased nurse retention and increased rates of job satisfaction. This can only be accomplished with the support and participation of all of the departments and employees in the health system that places the patient first and foremost in the mission of their daily work
What’s in it for nurses?
- A culture that focuses on improving patient outcomes
- Professional growth and development by educational opportunities and support
- A structure that encourages decision making at the bedside over clinical issues
- High job satisfaction
- An environment that recognizes and rewards competence
- Low turnover and vacancy rates
- Focus on professional autonomy
- Enhanced Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Professional growth opportunities
- Leadership opportunities
- Opportunity to practice professional nursing with strong interdisciplinary teamwork that support autonomous practice of nursing
- A culture that supports you to be the best nurse you can be!
Do I have to have a BSN to work in a Magnet Hospital?
No. Magnet does not define what percentage of RN’s must have a BSN. The Institute of Medicine (IOM), Future of Nursing Initiative recommended that organizations should strive to achieve 80% BSN prepared nurses by 2020. UC Davis supports higher education through training and development for those who choose to further their education. We have close to 70% BSN prepared nurses.
Do I have to become certified in my specialty?
Magnet encourages ongoing learning and support for professional growth and career development but does not require 100% of RN’s to be certified. UC Davis encourages nurses to become competent in their specialty and recognizes and rewards them monthly for doing so.
We already give good patient care, what benefit does Magnet have?
Magnet organizations have to outperform national benchmarks on nurse sensitive indicators such as Falls, HAPU, CLABSI, CAUTI, VAP, Restraints, Pediatric IV Infiltrations to achieve Magnet designation and to maintain it. It is the right thing to do for our patient’s, to provide high-quality care, a safer environment and better patient outcomes.
How does Magnet align with our bargaining unit and contract?
A collaborative relationship is in alignment with excellence in nursing and positive patient outcomes.