Magnet hospital = Nurse friendly hospital?

[amy0123, BSN, RN]

I am looking to work at a hospital that is "nurse friendly." In other words, a low turn over rate, ongoing education on the floors about techniques, safety, drugs, education encouragment, zero tolerance for nurse abuse, etc.

Any recommendations for ny hospitals? Is there a way to tell this information from a hospital other than working there to find out? I actually feel so burned out that I am afraid to work anywhere.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

i am looking to work at a hospital that is "nurse friendly." in other words, a low turn over rate, ongoing education on the floors about techniques, safety, drugs, education encouragment, zero tolerance for nurse abuse, etc.

any recommendations for ny hospitals? is there a way to tell this information from a hospital other than working there to find out? i actually feel so burned out that i am afraid to work anywhere.

there are many threads on magnet hospitals, so run a quick search. in general, though, i'd answer your title question with one word: no! magnet hospitals are not necessarily nurse-friendly.

the magnet hospital in which i'm working now (or at least the unit i'm in) has a high turn-over rate, and not only high tolerance for nurse abuse but seems to be encouraging it. our manager means well (probably) but either doesn't believe what is going on despite our high turnover or doesn't know what to do about it. i'm inclined to believe the former. i've been a nurse for long enough not to get mired in the nastiness, but it doesn't make for pleasant working conditions. i enjoy the patient population, but the unit culture is toxic.

i'm not sure there is a hospital that has all of the plusses you describe. i've worked in some that have great education opportunities and lousy unit culture, i've worked in some where the unit culture was wonderful but the techniques were a bit behind and educational opportunites were lacking. prioritize what's most important to you, and start there. a share day may help, if you know ahead of time what you need to ask the staff you meet. if they're honest with you. they may not be, especially if the unit culture is toxic either because they're part of the problem or are very anxious to have you come work with them.

maybe you'll get some specific recommendations from ny nurses, since that's where you're looking. good luck!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Don't let the wrapping on the package fool you. The Magnet logo does not automatically mean that they are nurse friendly...sometimes, they are actually worse. We were constantly harassed and intimidated during our magnet process, making us miserable. We are still awaiting the results of their decision. Actually, I secretly pray that they don't get it. I would do nothing to get in their way, but if it were up to me, I would say no way.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Nurse friendly hospitals is a program started in Texas by the Texas Nurses asso. to recognize smaller hospitals that are not eligible for magnet status. The program is being adapted by ANA to include other states (chapters) and even abroad. I was at the TNA Leadership Conf. when this was announced last Sept. You can get a list of nurse friendly hospitals from TNA. www.texasnurses.org. The program has initial requirements and the facility must maintain them in order to maintain status.

[nurse grace RN, BSN]

Magnet is a well sought after status but, it doesn't mean that the facility is "nurse friendly". I work in a magnet facility and our :oratios are high, there are toxic, disrespectful girls :icon_rollon the floor that have no concept of caring--they'd rather play on the computer than do patient care. There are "veteran" nurses , that actually say they don't care about thier patients as well. I find this difficult to work with. Maybe i care too much but I believe everyone should be treated humanely. We are up for recert. and there is a mad scramble to obtain evidence to back our application up. I wish there were a mad scramble to insure that staffing is adequate and takes acuity into account. I like most of the people that i work with but feel that I need to move on. Unfortunately, I still owe my employer time for paying for my schooling. I will definately check out the culture and the interactions of the staff before I transfer again. I wish you mush luck in your search for a nurse frindly job.

[CareBayer]

I too work at a Magnet hospital. Our turnover rate (hospital wide for nursing) is

6%. The hospital offers $220/hr tuition reimbursment, education classes offering updates/ refreshers on policies/ procedures, etc., are offered frequently. Our raises and promotions are based on performance and customer service.

We are a VERY client-oriented factility. A LOT is expected of us.....BUT, I believe that we are treated better than at many other hospitals in the area. We are encouraged to voice complaints/ concerns to not only our unit director, but also those "higher ups" that are motivated to make the hospital the best it can be.

That said....there are units/ areas of the facility that have higher turnover rates than others. AND there are always a few "bad apples" on every floor that should have never chosen nursing as a profession.

[RN1989]

Having worked both magnet and non-magnet I had a better time with the magnet. They generally have better education, better ancillary support, better working relationships with the docs. But there is still no guarantee that you will have adequate staffing most of the time. And you still get treated just as bad.

The nurse friendly designation that TX has is a total joke. I have been management in a facility that got the nurse-friendly designation. The reviewers that came to the hospital were given the really pretty JCAHO tour. Staffing was beefed up for the day and the reviewers didn't speak with the regular staff. The requirements for everything is mostly a bunch of stuff that looks fabulous on paper but in reality is not practiced in the hospital. And no, I wasn't consulted on the nurse-friendly stuff. The CNO and asst did ALL the paperwork and ALL the talking to the reviewers to ensure that their plans were not thwarted by those of us realistic people fighting to keep our heads and the heads of our staff above water.

[Twincere]

My hospital is starting the long, arduous process of attaining magnet status. I have to say that my feelings are really mixed. The hospital is pushing customer service and satisfaction to a point where I think it oversteps boundaries and administration doesn't back up their staff. Our staffing is riduculous and often, dangerous. They have a a matrix system that dictates our staffing based on patient census. This system doesn't consider the acuity of our patients! GRRRR!

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

From what I've seen "Magnet" means no LPNs and no Associate-Degree RNs.

[R*Star*RN, BSN, RN]

Our hospital is working on becoming a magnet hospital as well.

However in my home town, the hospital was a Magnet hospital. I have heard nothing but horror stories and complaints come from that hospital's staff. Rumors say that hospital will loose it's Magnet status when it's up for review next year.

So I think it depends on the hospital. The hospital I am at now is not a Magnet hospital yet, but it's one of the best places i have worked at so far.