[Type text] [Type text] [Type text] 1 Running head: IMPACT OF HOSPITALS OBTAINING MAGNET DESIGNATION Impact of Hospitals Obtaining Magnet Designation Impact of Hospitals Obtaining Magnet Designation As hospitals and long term care facilities compete to be the finest facility, one main focus is to create an environment that delivers service excellence and better patient outcomes (Drenkard, 2010). To achieve its goal, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has created designation recognizing hospitals for their outstanding nursing care delivery; Magnet Recognition Program (jcaho). In her book, Nursing Clinic of North America, Karen stated the designation ensures that a consistency level of practice and professionalism is demonstrated throughout magnet hospitals in the states and hospitals that are attaining magnet status share the same characteristics of qualitative factors known as “Forces of Magnetism” (Hill, 2011). Forces of magnetism is the requirement for designation as a magnet facility and exemplifies a professional environmental guided by a strong and visionary nursing leader who advocates and support excellence in nursing practice (Jordan, 2011). On the other hand, to earn magnet status can be challenging. According to Lorrie Mancuso, the process is a complex application process and extremely expensive (Lorrie, 2016). It is not an easy work to obtain the status and hospitals must work hard to meet strict requirements as well as commitment to the nursing practice (Hawke, 2003). <This paper proposes a review of what is the impact to the hospitals obtaining magnet designation versus the process of obtaining the designation, and compare which one has more advantages> Discussion of Research Points in Favor of Obtaining Magnet Designation Magnet designation is recognized to be the golden standard in nursing world and it is recognized for nursing excellence and delivers high quality of nursing care (“Magnet Status for Nursing Excellence,” 2016). According to Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, there is less mortality rate in magnet hospitals due to higher nurse to patient ratios. For example, the incidence of pneumonia acquired in hospitals was associated to the nurse staffing level. A study revealed, “Adding just 30 minutes of RN staffing per patient day greatly reduced the incidence of pneumonia in patients following surgery” (Potter, Perry, Stockert, & Hall, 2016). Nurses’ safety is significantly improved at magnet hospital. Several studies have demonstrated up to one-third reduction in needle stick injuries in magnet facilities at a cost of $405 per incident. Occupational health injuries for musculoskeletal injuries and blood and body fluid exposures are also lower in hospitals with magnet status. Magnet hospitals are in a better position to recruit and retain nurses, most likely because of a better work environment, share governance structures, and nursing services support .

1. [Type text] [Type text] [Type text]
1
Running head: IMPACT OF HOSPITALS OBTAINING
MAGNET DESIGNATION
Impact of Hospitals Obtaining Magnet Designation
Impact of Hospitals Obtaining Magnet Designation

2. As hospitals and long term care facilities compete to be the
finest facility, one main focus is to create an environment that
delivers service excellence and better patient outcomes
(Drenkard, 2010). To achieve its goal, the American Nurses
Credentialing Center (ANCC) has created designation
recognizing hospitals for their outstanding nursing care
delivery; Magnet Recognition Program (jcaho). In her book,
Nursing Clinic of North America, Karen stated the designation
ensures that a consistency level of practice and professionalism
is demonstrated throughout magnet hospitals in the states and
hospitals that are attaining magnet status share the same
characteristics of qualitative factors known as “Forces of
Magnetism” (Hill, 2011). Forces of magnetism is the
requirement for designation as a magnet facility and exemplifies
a professional environmental guided by a strong and visionary
nursing leader who advocates and support excellence in nursing
practice (Jordan, 2011). On the other hand, to earn magnet
status can be challenging. According to Lorrie Mancuso, the
process is a complex application process and extremely
expensive (Lorrie, 2016). It is not an easy work to obtain the
status and hospitals must work hard to meet strict requirements
as well as commitment to the nursing practice (Hawke, 2003).
<This paper proposes a review of what is the impact to the
hospitals obtaining magnet designation versus the process of
obtaining the designation, and compare which one has more
advantages>
Discussion of Research
Points in Favor of Obtaining Magnet Designation
Magnet designation is recognized to be the golden standard
in nursing world and it is recognized for nursing excellence and
delivers high quality of nursing care (“Magnet Status for
Nursing Excellence,” 2016). According to Joint Commission on
Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, there is less
mortality rate in magnet hospitals due to higher nurse to patient
ratios. For example, the incidence of pneumonia acquired in
hospitals was associated to the nurse staffing level. A study

3. revealed, “Adding just 30 minutes of RN staffing per patient
day greatly reduced the incidence of pneumonia in patients
following surgery” (Potter, Perry, Stockert, & Hall, 2016).
Nurses’ safety is significantly improved at magnet hospital.
Several studies have demonstrated up to one-third reduction in
needle stick injuries in magnet facilities at a cost of $405 per
incident. Occupational health injuries for musculoskeletal
injuries and blood and body fluid exposures are also lower in
hospitals with magnet status. Magnet hospitals are in a better
position to recruit and retain nurses, most likely because of a
better work environment, share governance structures, and
nursing services support that are necessary to meet magnet
criteria. As a result, they have lower vacancy and turnover
rates.
Points in Opposition of Obtaining Magnet Designation
To apply, hospitals must going through an appraisal
process that requires them to present evidence showing
achievement of magnet standards. Magnet status requires nurses
to collect data on specific nursing sensitive quality indicators or
outcomes and compare their outcomes against national, state, or
regional database to demonstrate quality of care (Potter, Perry,
Stockert, & Hall, 2016). The journey of magnet certification is a
journey for the entire organization. Teamwork, patience,
dedication, and respect across the entire organization are
important to obtaining Magnet Certification. The magnet
process itself can take anywhere from 2-4 years or longer from
idea generation to site visit. It can be challenging to implement
a shared decision-making model, stay focused, meet deadlines
and keep energized over this period (Layola nursing newsletter).
<This voluntary process consumes a lot of time and hard work>
On top of the lengthy application process, the hospitals must
reapply every four years to keep the designation status
(“Magnet Status for Nursing Excellence”).
Effects on Nursing Practice
By analyzing the benefit of obtaining magnet designation
in healthcare organizations versus <is it worth enough the

4. money and time to have it? Which seems often too much and
making it impossible, the student nurse agrees that in order to
demonstrate quality patient care and improve patients’
outcomes, magnet recognition program is worth all that it costs
and then some>. A nurse must work in an environment so that
they can grow and flourish. That is the environment where
positive attitudes are enforced, nurses’ inputs are valued,
management are supportive, high nurse to patient ratio,
constructive communications between nurses and physicians as
well as a structural empowerment all the nursing staff to
participate in their professional practice, to implement new
knowledge and innovations. The student nurse believes all of
these characteristics can have positive impact on patient
because the nurses in such environment are satisfied, involved,
and innovative. Consequently, the patient outcomes are fewer
complications, fewer adverse events, shorter lengths of stay,
most importantly, lower mortality rate.
Conclusion
When comparing if it’s worth it obtaining magnet
designation, the benefits of having it quite drastically outweigh
when hospitals do not have one. Magnet program objective is to
promote quality in the work setting that supports professional
nursing practice. It identifies excellence in delivering nursing
services and these facilities disseminate best practice in nursing
services and live by nursing ethics. Besides lowering nurse
turnover, magnet hospital is most likely the desirable facility
that patients will seek. Understanding the disadvantages; costly,
time consuming, need dedication from employees throughout
the process are the reasons why not every facility would want to
obtaining the status. However, nurses in magnet facilities have
better positive attitudes at work, this benefits extend to the
patient and organization.

5. Reference
Zittel, B., Moss, E., O'Sullivan, A., & Siek, T. (2016).
Registered Nurses as Professionals: Accountability for
Education and Practice. Online Journal Of Issues In Nursing,
21(3), 8. doi:10.3912/OJIN.Vol21No03Man01
Swanson, J., Tidwell, C., (September 30, 2011) "Improving the
Culture of Patient Safety Through the Magnet® Journey" OJIN:
The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol. 16, No. 3,
Manuscript 1.

6. Jordan, Z., (2011). A “force” to be Reckoned with: The
International Attraction of Magnet Status. Pacesetters, (8)1, 10-
13.
http://journals.lww.com/jbipacesetters/Fulltext/2011/01000/A__
force__to_be_reckoned_with___The_international.3.aspx?trend
md-shared=0
https://www.americannursetoday.com/going-for-the-gold-the-
value-of-attaining-magnet-recognition/
Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., Stockert, P., & Hall, A. (2016).
Fundamental of Nursing: The Health Care Delivery System. St.
Louise, MO: Elsevier Health Science.
Hill, S. H., (2011). Nursing Clinics of North America.
Lexington, KY: Elsevier Health Science
Finkelman, A., & Kenner, C., (2014). Professional Nursing
Concept. New York: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Magnet Status for Nursing Excellence. (2016). In Northwest
Community Healthcare. Retrieved from
http://www.nch.org/about-nch/high-quality-care/magnet-status-
for-nursing-excellence
Joint Commision on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
(2016). Healthcare at the Crossroads: Strategies for Addressing
the Evolving Nursing Crisis.
http://www.nch.org/about-nch/high-quality-care/magnet-status-
for-nursing-excellence