Magnet Hosp?

RNbeach, ASN, RN · Aug 30, 2008

I work for a hospital that has Magnet status. Magnet status is based on the 14 forces of magnetism. The hospital must meet all 14 forces. The hospital is designated to be one where nursing delivers excellent patient outcomes, where nurses have a high level of job satisfaction, and where there is a low staff nurse turnover rate and appropriate grievance resolution. The hospital where I work, nurse are highly involved in the decision process and day to day operations of the hospital. We are held in high regard, respected, and encouraged to continue our education. You will also find that many of the people in managment are former nurses. I LOVE working there and am very proud of our magnet status.

Below are the 14 Forces of Magnetism upon which a hospital needs to demonstrate to achieve Magnet Designation.

1. Quality of nursing leadership

refers to knowledgeable, strong risk-taking nurse leaders who follow an articulated philosophy of nursing and demonstrate support for staff.

2. Organizational structure

refers to structures that are characterized as flat, rather than tall, with unit-based decision making prevailing.

3. Management style

hospital and nursing administrators demonstrate a participative management style that incorporates staff feedback.

4. Personnel policies and programs

refers to competitive salaries and benefits inclusive of flexible staffing models and clinical promotional opportunities.

5. Professional models of care

refers to models of care that give nurses responsibility and authority for the provision of patient care.

6. Quality of care

refers to nurses involved in providing high quality of care with nurses in leadership positions developing the environment to provide such care.

7. Quality improvement

quality improvement (QI) activities are viewed as educational and staff nurses participate in the QI process.

8. Consultation and resources

adequate consultation and resources are available inclusive of knowledge experts, particularly advanced practice nurses.

9. Autonomy

nurses are permitted and expected to practice autonomously consistent with professional standards.

10. Community and the hospital

refers to the ability to recruit and retain nurses and maintain a strong community presence.

11. Nurses as teachers

refers to nurses incorporating teaching in all aspects of their practice.

12. Image of nursing

refers to nurses viewed as integral to the hospital's ability to provide patient care services.

13. Interdisciplinary relationships

refers to positive relationships with all disciplines.

14. Professional development

refers to significant emphasis placed on all types of education and professional growth and development opportunities.

RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 30, 2008

Have not heard that at all. in fact i work at a "magnet" hospital.. never heard such a thing! i have my ADN for now, and no pressure or anything to go back.

dunno about that entire "magnet" thing. i dont notice a bit of difference. but thats an entire different thread.

call them back and ask why, cant hurt.

gl!!

-H-RN

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2008

I was telephone interviewed by a very reputable hospital in the chicago area that has magnet status...and despite my qualifications, I got the sense that new grad "ADNs" are not welcome there...due to the whole BSN thing. I had a friend who graduated with her BSN..less exp than me, and got in. So go figure. I think it's one of the unwritten rules of a hospital going for magnet...they won't hire non-BSNs, but if you get in beforehand, you're ok.

jmgrn65, RN · Aug 31, 2008

I work in a Magnet Hospital, and they don't require you to have a BSN.

Frankly since we have been Magnet it has only gotten worse for nurses. it is just an award that costs the hospitals tens of thousand of dollars.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Aug 31, 2008

Most of the hospitals I am aware of that are trying to obtain Magnet are requiring new hires to have their BSN. My hospital did not obtain when they applied but are attempting it yet, again. From reading these forums, most nurses working at Magnet hospitals are not more satisfied, there has been no change in retention or better automony or any of the other pipe dreams sold by the administrators.

I am not a Magnet proponent, because I believe that they promote seperatism amongest the nurses and especially since I am a dedicated, hard working LPN that chooses not to go for the RN. Magnet does not support LPNs, in fact, the surveyors looked down on us, even though most of us answered their questions as competently as our RN counterparts. Any accreditating agency that downs me because I wish to make an honest living doing what I love doesn't earn my respect...particularly if we have to be threatened, intimidated and forced to get on the bandwagon on pipe dreams that do not exist in reality.

neurorn6 · Aug 31, 2008

The purpose behind Magnet Status, is really supposed to be about nurses. In theory, if a hospital has obtained it then nurses are more likely to stay. In theory, it is supposed to draw more experienced nurses to the hospital, thereby improving patient care. I had the good fortunate to work at a hospital in New Jersey who was working toward that process and I was impressed by their efforts. Staffing was a big issue and they established different avenues to address this issue. Education was another, they encouraged nurses and actually gave different incentatives for nurse to advance their education. On the other hand, I current work at a hospital in KY which is trying to go Magnet and it is just the opposite. They hire new grads (BSN) and place them in speciality units with absolute no experience and there have been times that there have been no experienced nurses working that unit as backup. Staffing and pt ratios are not issues that they address, nor is staff retention in any form. I'm leaving and I have to do an exit interview and I have been warned by several people not to be open and honest with the information. It makes you wonder. Anyway, it doesn't matter to me if you are an LPN, BSN, MSN or ADN. Bottom line we are nurses and must stand together for our profession. Respect for each other is the true MAGNET STATUS!!!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Aug 31, 2008

The purpose behind Magnet Status, is really supposed to be about nurses. In theory, if a hospital has obtained it then nurses are more likely to stay. In theory, it is supposed to draw more experienced nurses to the hospital, thereby improving patient care. I had the good fortunate to work at a hospital in New Jersey who was working toward that process and I was impressed by their efforts. Staffing was a big issue and they established different avenues to address this issue. Education was another, they encouraged nurses and actually gave different incentatives for nurse to advance their education. On the other hand, I current work at a hospital in KY which is trying to go Magnet and it is just the opposite. They hire new grads (BSN) and place them in speciality units with absolute no experience and there have been times that there have been no experienced nurses working that unit as backup. Staffing and pt ratios are not issues that they address, nor is staff retention in any form. I'm leaving and I have to do an exit interview and I have been warned by several people not to be open and honest with the information. It makes you wonder. Anyway, it doesn't matter to me if you are an LPN, BSN, MSN or ADN. Bottom line we are nurses and must stand together for our profession. Respect for each other is the true MAGNET STATUS!!!

I can agree with that...it should be about ALL nurses, not a particular lot. I would love to stand together, because what affects the RNs will eventually trickle down to us. Too bad these surveyors don't really see it that way.

RN1982 · Sep 1, 2008

Magnet is crap. How about boosting nurses salaries than spending all that money just to be a magnet hospital.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Sep 1, 2008

I hear that...supposedly our hospital lost 700,000 last month....I can think of a few ways to cut costs...

jadu1106 · Sep 1, 2008

I was in the process of looking for a call in postion at a hospital where they are trying to get magnet status. When I called HR I was basically told need not apply until I get my BSN because they are trying for magnet status. Which is fine with me because I already have a full time job. But it made me curious. When I looked on the internet a magnet hosp "recognizes health care organizations that provide nursing excellence" I didn't see anything about all the nurses working at the hospital need to have a BSN. So I'm just wondering if anyone else heard this?? Info would be great...Thanks

hi--I'm not a nurse yet, but this doesn't sound right to me....so basically that HR person said since their hospital is magnet status and you don't have a BSN, that you can't apply there? I know that an ADN is different from a BSN, but isn't an RN an RN??? Hmmm!!!

jadu1106

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 1, 2008

What further agitates me about Magnet is that in most cases, it does not lighten the load of the RN's paperwork and other numerous responsibilities in addition to cutting off LPNs. Our hospital continues to use us (at least for now) and the LPNs can lighten the loads by administering medications by the routes allowed within our scope of practice, do dressings, suctioning and basic things that can allow the RN to take on her additional responsibilies that we cannot assist with...but they say that we're not good enough, thus are being phased out in numerous hospitals.

Personally, I would rather have a licensed person who is equally responsible, accountable and liable for their practice and would have to answer for it at the same BON than to entrust more skills such as medication administration and other NURSING duties that a licensed person is accountable for, but that's just me...