Georgetown Hospital- Magnet Status

[PEDSVA]

I recently read an article on how Magnet facilities actually have a lower nurse turnover rate and higher job satisfaction. I understand Georgetown is the only Magnet hospital in DC. I am interested in hearing from anyone who works there on any unit. How does this Hospital compare to a non magnet facility ?

[nervousnurse, ASN]

Hi, I do NOT work at Georgetown, nor do I live here, but my Dad is a patient there right now, and I can comment on a few of your questions.

I have read A LOT of literature the last couple days about their MAGNET status, and it has been very interesting. They are VERY proud of that status, and I don't blame them! Apparently they do claim a low tunrover rate, and I was VERY impressed with some of the things they've initiated to decrease UTIs in patients with Foleys, etc.

But as a nurse who's worked med-surg, I haven't seen anything THAT outstanding, and-----unless something's changed that I wasn't aware of, when my Dad's nurse gave his subQ heparin in his ARM, I was wondering.....? Hey, I don't claim to be super nurse or anything, so maybe there are some instances when it's NOT supposed to be given in the abdomen that I don't know about?

Also, as we were leaving him for the night, I offered to help him brush his teeth---then asked if they helped him brush them that morning, to which he said no.....I was NOT happy about that!

ANother thing my Dad wasn't happy about was not being given something to clean his hands after using his urinal in bed.....I would think a MAGNET hospital might come up with some great idea for that.......My Dad's an easygoing guy, so he just asked for a cup full of the anti-bacterial lotion for his bedside table.....good idea, Dad! :)

Like I said, they are VERY proud of their MAGNET status, but I haven't seen anything too exciting yet,.....I'm also not TOO thrilled about paying TEN DOLLARS parking fee to visit Dad, and oh yea, and his room is sooooooooooo hot and humid and warm....and they don't have fans---I had to bring one from home.....

[RNchemo]

My take on Magnet is that for the most part it is steam mgmt loves to blow. There are some good things that have come of it, however, such as a new clinical ladder that ties annual financial bonuses to each step you go. Also, Magnet has forced the admin to make a place for advanced practice or masters degree specialist type nurses by having a position levelfor them and pay. Previously, nurses would take advantage of the tuition program at GU, receive a MS and then have to work somewhere else because the hospital had no position for such nurses! Those who stayed continued on in their same capacity on the floors in my observation. The change has not occoured yet, but at least there is a plan and things are starting.

There are also different 'shared governance' councils and things of that nature. That said, it is not a magically different placce. GUH faces the same problems as many places. How many times as a nurse have I fet the frustration of wanting to ensure patients receive my time and attention to the details that keep them clean, happy, and informed, but have to settle for hitting the highlites as I am faced with one urgent task after another. Three patients on the call bell at the same time that someone is waiting to be discharged and a physician is on the phone wanting to give a verbal order or follow up on a more acute patient. Oh, and routine meds are all due too. Who needs and deserves the nurses attention? They all do! Can I do it all at once? No! This is where prioritization comes in, and if your need is ranked last, (often routine oral care checks fall in this catagory) it is undertandable that this is unsatisfactory. Nurses, patients, and families everywhere face these challenges.