The basics of Magnet recognition
Magnet hospitals are those that have demonstrated excellence in five areas, with 14 corresponding forces of magnetism:
1. Transformational Leadership. The ANCC website uses words like "vision, influence, clinical knowledge" in describing such leadership, as well as nursing practice expertise. The leadership sets the tone of the organization, creates the vision, and then preaches the gospel of necessary change in order to create systems that can innovate and problem-solve. The associated forces of magnetism are Quality of Nursing Leadership and Management Style.
2. Structural Empowerment. The leaders described above will create structures that encourage innovation and where the vision of the organization can flourish. Strong relationships between stakeholders within and outside of the organization will be demonstrated through policies, systems, and programs that the leadership develops, including for staff development as needed. The associated forces of magnetism are Organizational Structure, Personnel Policies and Programs, Community and Healthcare Organization, Image of Nursing, Professional Development.
3. Exemplary Professional Practice. This is nursing-focused and relies on the organization to show how nurses interact with stakeholders throughout the hospital and the wider community and how they apply new knowledge. The associated forces of magnetism are Professional Models of Care, Consultation and Resources, Autonomy, and Nurses as Teachers.
4. New Knowledge, Innovation, & Improvements. This element is about improving healthcare, innovating, and expanding knowledge through the application of the science of nursing. The force of magnetism that goes with this element is Quality Improvement.
5. Empirical Quality Results. Outcomes matter. There isn't a lot of weight put on outcomes for Magnet, because there isn't anything measured to determine if a benchmark is met, but the ANCC acknowledges this needs to change. "There are no quantitative outcome requirements for Magnet Recognition," the website notes. "This area is where the greatest changes need to occur." Quality of Care is the force of magnetism that goes with this last element. Patient care is among the measures suggested on the ANCC website as a future empirical result. But the ANCC also mentions workforce and organizational data as appropriate for future benchmarking.
