1. Magnet Recognition Program®
"NURSING EXCELLENCE: Your Journey - Our Passion!"
Christina Joy, DNSc, RN
Senior Magnet Program Analyst
American Nurses Credentialing Center
Magnet Recognition Program

2. Questions About Magnet Recognition Program
What role does the institution’s library and librarian play in the pursuit, “journey”, of Magnet Recognition status?
Is having a library one of the criteria for being a Magnet organization?
What are the kinds of things that the librarian can do to assist their institution during the application review process?

3. Questions About Magnet Recognition Program
Does the Magnet process provide a clear expectation to the institution about what the library and the librarian’s role is for a Magnet institution?
What are the kinds of things that the librarian can do once their institution has been recognized as Magnet?
What is the Magnet Program?

4. Questions About Magnet Recognition Program
Are there specific resource requirements expected, i.e. databases, books, collection development tools, etc.?
What kind of support or other requirements are expected from the librarian?
How does an organization qualify to be a Magnet?
How does the library fit into the Magnet review process and environment?

5. Questions About Magnet Recognition Program
Why are more educational classes for staff nurses requested that involve the librarian?
How successful have hospitals without librarians been in achieving magnet status?
What research is required on the part of nurses to become a Magnet Hospital?
Have the experiences of Magnet Status Hospital libraries shown a greater reliance on Evidence Based published literature?

6. Questions About Magnet Recognition Program
What is the impact of applying for Magnet status on the hospital library?
What can be expected in terms of long-range demand for library resources and services?
Would like a general overview of the Magnet program.
What can librarians do to promote, encourage, the Magnet Process?

7. Questions About Magnet Recognition Program
What are the key resources that all libraries should have to support “magnetization”?
What is the library/librarian’s role in the magnet process?
How do hospitals achieve Magnet without a library or librarian support?
Where do they get their evidence and current resources?

8. What Does Magnet Status Mean?
Recognition of nursing excellence in a healthcare organization in regard to:
Nursing Leadership
Work Environment for Nurses
Professional Development
Nursing Practice
Patient Care

9. Magnet Program History (Part 1)
1980’s – Original research by American Academy of Nursing
ANA Standards for Organized Nursing Services and Responsibilities of Nurse Administrators Across All Settings approved by ANA Board of Directors
ANCC was created as a separately incorporated subsidiary.

10. Magnet Program History (Part 2)
1993 – infrastructure of Magnet Nursing Services Recognition Program built within ANCC
first health care organization was awarded Magnet status
University of Washington, Seattle
program expanded internationally
Princess Alexandra, Queensland, Australia

11. Original Magnet Research: Study Outcomes
41 hospitals designated “magnets”
Organizational structure supported nursing leadership
Staff nurses had autonomy and clinical authority in directing patient care
Ability to attract and retain professional nurses
Researchers called this - the “magnet” affect – thus, Magnet Hospitals.

12. Organizational Structure

13. Goals: Magnet Recognition Program
Identify excellence in the delivery of nursing care to patients,
Promote the quality of health care services in an environment that supports professional nursing practice, and
Provide a mechanism for the dissemination of best practices in nursing services.

14. Appraisal Review Process: Four Phases
Phase One: Application
Phase Two: Written Documentation
Phase Three: Site Visit
Phase Four: Commission Vote
Let’s talk about phases of review:
Facility does a self assessment and determines if they are ready—Magnet journey to create the CULTURE of nursing excellence can take 1 – 7 years. Once the application is submitted— fee and the facility must wait 1year, but has up to two years to submit. Lag time to reduce the rush factor—we can tell when the documentation is rushed. Currently, 107 Magnets
Written documentation: Important once it is finished to have an outside observer determine if the standards have been answered and the “story” of the facility has been well represented. Some facilities have groups put together the info, some have one coordinator; usually have one submit the overview write up so the application is consistent
Site visit: Different than any other—very motivating. The appraisers are there to verify, amplify and clarify the written documentation. They will ask questions, may ask to look at additional documentation and listen to your story from all the nurses. The appraisers do not make the final decision the COM does that in the final phase.
The COM reviews all the documents and the appraisers report to come to a final decision. The facilites are notified soon after by the Chair.

15. Current Magnet Recognition Program
Focus:
Leadership of the Chief Nurse Executive
Work environment
Adherence to standards
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Cultural and ethnic diversity of patients and care providers
Best nursing practices - evidence-based practice, quality improvement, research

16. Forces of Magnetism Quality of Nursing Leadership
Organizational Structure
Management Style
Personnel Policies and Programs
Professional Models of Care
Quality of Care
Quality Improvement
Consultation and Resources
Autonomy
Community and the Hospital
Nurses as Teachers
Image of Nursing
Interdisciplinary Relationships
Professional Development

17. Force 6: Quality of Care
Quality infrastructure and processes, include human and material resources
Systems promote, support, monitor and improve patient safety
Application of ethical principles in nursing practice
Clinical and operational integration of research and evidence-based practice
Patient satisfaction surveys show good results. Research, EBP incorporated into practice at the bedside. Staff nurses involved in research “competence is not about having skills, but using skills to achieve desired outcomes”.
See evidence of quality initiatives.

18. Research and Evidence Based Practice
Nurse representation on IRB
Current literature and library resources available
Nursing research council or committee
Internal and external consultants
Budgeted dollars for nursing research
Planned or on-going nursing research studies
Resources available for staff nurses to access current research and evidence based practice literature

19. Research and Evidence Based Practice
Education for staff nurses regarding research
Opportunities for staff nurses to participate in nursing research
Budgeted dollars for nursing research
Ongoing or planned nursing research projects
Distinction made regarding:
Research studies
Evidence based practice activities
Quality improvement projects

20. How Can Librarians Support Magnet?
Assist with internet searches of literature for evidence based practice and research
Be an interdisciplinary partner in the education of staff nurses about EBP and research
Assist nursing to acquire essential health care references and access to the internet for staff nurses - for quality improvement projects, EBP initiatives, and research studies.

21. WEBSITE ANCC website for Magnet information www.nursecredentialing.org
There is additional information about the Magnet program on
The suggested books (Magnet hospitals revisited, application and Scope and Standards for Nursing Administration) are available on the ANA website