What Is A Magnet Hospital?

Magnet hospitals meet certain criteria outlined by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Only 9.3% of all healthcare systems in the U.S. have received this coveted designation. As of the writing of this article, there were 584 Magnet hospitals across the country.

Today, nurses have their pick of job openings. Many are choosing Magnet hospitals to help advance their careers. Working at Magnet hospitals gives nurses greater job safety and satisfaction.

In this article, we will discuss:

What does Magnet hospital mean?

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) provides the Magnet designation. The ANCC created the award in 1993. It’s meant for hospitals that meet certain criteria designed to measure the quality of their nursing. According to the ANCC’s standards, these are the Magnet hospital requirements:

Delivers excellent patient outcomes
Holds a high level of satisfaction among its nurses
Retains its nursing staff (low turnover rates)
Provides appropriate grievance resolutions

The Magnet Recognition Program® is for healthcare organizations that value nursing talent. The Magnet hospital designation is more than a badge of honor. It shows nursing professionals that a hospital will value their education and experience. Magnet hospitals provide an excellent work atmosphere. They improve patient outcomes, and preserve nurse satisfaction levels.

If a hospital wants to receive the ANCC Magnet designation, they should submit an application. The hospital will need to pay the application fee and provide supporting documentation.

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What makes a hospital Magnet?

To become a Magnet facility, hospitals have to meet the five components of the Magnet model.

Transformational leadership

Today, healthcare is more about stabilization and growth. Healthcare leadership should also embrace behaviors, beliefs, and values. Magnet hospitals direct nurses where they need to be to meet future demands. Hospital leadership should embrace atypical approaches and solutions. This creates a vision for the future.

Structural empowerment

Magnet hospital leadership recognizes the contributions made by nursing staff. They commit to professional development and decentralize the decision-making process. They build partnerships with community organizations to improve patient care. Hospital leadership should develop, direct, and empower their staff.

Exemplary professional practice

Magnet hospital candidates should understand how nursing helps provide quality healthcare to patients, their families, and the community at large. Hospitals should pursue new knowledge and evidence of healthcare outcomes.

New knowledge, innovations, and improvements

Magnet hospitals have empowered healthcare professionals, exemplary practice, and strong leaders. Magnet organizations should also take ethical and professional responsibility. They commit to improvements, innovations, and visible contributions to the science of nursing.

Empirical outcomes

When hospitals follow these first four key areas, the natural result is good outcomes. Hospitals should be able to provide quantifiable data — data that shows how they’ve made a difference in patient outcomes. This data helps establish benchmarks to use as a “report card” for Magnet organizations and their progress.

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Benefits of working for a Magnet hospital

There are several benefits for Magnet nurses:

Nurses are valued for their knowledge and experience
Magnet hospitals have fewer safety-related workplace incidents
Higher job satisfaction means nurses are less likely to burn out
Nurses have access to more professional development resources
Patient mortality rates are significantly lower in Magnet facilities

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Magnet hospital considerations

Are there any drawbacks or special considerations with Magnet hospitals? According to a study by the University of Maryland School of Nursing, not all Magnet hospitals are as great as they’re cracked up to be. Working conditions and hours can be less than ideal. Magnet hospitals also hire far fewer nurses of color. And it’s difficult to provide proof that Magnet nurses are more empowered.

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How to get a job at a Magnet hospital

Magnet facilities have a reputation for providing a great workplace environment. And this means competition for open positions is fierce.

How can you get a Magnet nursing job? Magnet hospitals prefer nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Get your BSN and your Registered Nurse (RN) licensure.

Networking is important, too. Volunteer at a hospital you’d like to work at. Or join a professional organization. Introduce yourself to people and make connections with Magnet facility staff.

You should also strive to be:

Curious
Patient
Compassionate
Detail-oriented
Hardworking
Flexible
A good communicator

Finding Magnet hospitals near me

The ANCC provides an online tool to help find Magnet hospitals by state. Nursing professionals can search for a Magnet hospitals list. Then cross-reference those hospitals to see which may be hiring.

No matter where you end up, you’ll be a major asset to a healthcare facility. Join the free community at Incredible Health to get real-world advice from over 100k nurses, helping you find the Magnet hospital job you want.