What is Magnet Designation®?

• The highest level of recognition that an organization can achieve for excellence and innovation in nursing.
• Considered the "gold standard" in the nursing world.
• Conferred by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, an arm of the American Nurses Association.

How Did Magnet Get Its Start?

• Magnet Designation® is the result of nursing research done in 1983 during the first nursing shortage.
• Nurses observed that although many hospitals were clamoring for nurses, there were a few that had more than adequate staff.
• These nurses surveyed the 163 hospitals to determine what made nurses happy.
• 41 hospitals had common characteristics that made the "attractive" to nurses.
• These qualities became known as the "Forces of Magnetism."

Why Do We Want to Pursue Magnet Designation®?

• We want to pursue Magnet Designation® because it is a visible symbol of excellence and reflects the heart and soul of our nurses who strive daily for professional excellence.
• If we believe we do something well, the pursuit of Nursing Excellence allows us opportunities to become even better and to celebrate who and what we are.
• The principles of shared governance give us the opportunity to search the literature, find best practices and design patient care to improve outcomes.
• Remember that each hospital, each department and each nurse are at a different place on their "journey to nursing excellence." None of us have "arrived."

How Does the Pursuit of Magnet Designation® Support Our Practice?

It strengthens and energizes:

• Our professional development.
• Our autonomous nursing practice.
• Positive interdisciplinary relationships.
• Our creativity.
• Our job satisfaction.
• The resources to provide quality patient care.
• Our patient's satisfaction with the care they receive.
• Improved patient outcomes.
• Safety measures.