Magnet-Scam or does it help the floor nurse?

allnurses Guide · Mar 18, 2008

I think that a lot of hospitals that definately don't deserve it, do try to get magnet status. You are right, they are looking for a pat on the back. I have found that *most* hospitals that acheive magnet status do truly deserve it; they have high levels of employee and patient satisfaction.

And then there are some hospitals that have magnet status, that some folks on here will testify, are no better to work at than any other hospital.

nursynursenursenurse · Mar 18, 2008

My vote is scam. I think that when Magnet started, it was a great way to recognize hospitals that probably already had most of the criteria in place. Now it's just a way for money and attention to be diverted from more important things. If my hospital was trying to get it, I'd help where I could, for ethical reasons....because I feel like I work there, and that makes it my job. However, in my heart of hearts I don't support it. Just my opinion.

CareBayer · Mar 18, 2008

I work for a Magnet hospital and I'm not sure at this point....I'm leaning towards scam, but I don't know what the working conditions are like in other hospitals (I'm a new RN.) I've heard that when the hospital that I work at was going through the Magnet-review process that all floors were staffed with PLENTY of nurses (1:4 on my floor instead of 1:6 like now!!!)

Magnet should have unannounced spot-checks on hospitals to keep everyone honest!

BrokenRNheart · Mar 18, 2008

If they actually did real surveys they wouldn't be any MAGNET. That is a big thing now and we should pay close attention to how we can use this to OUR advantage.

I think nurses need their own MAGNET survey. Ya, did anyone ask you how you felt?

I know of other garbage pits that are trying for the same thing. What a crock!

tirednursedude · Mar 18, 2008

What is your ratio on night shift?

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2008

It's not as elite as it once was. There are several Magnet hospital in my area and several more applying.

Our staff satisfaction surveys were low when the Magnet Commitee came for interviews, but low and behold, we got it! Mostly because they made everyone join a committee. Didn't join one? You were assigned one. Oh, look how involved the nurses are in the decision making process! Looks great on the application!

Now we are not only juggling pt assignemnts and committee work, but our co workers assignment for when they go to committee meetings.

Are the satisfaction scores any better? Not really.

tirednursedude · Mar 18, 2008

Yeah we were assigned to them.No one knows what one they are on or even cares about it,after working my shifts per week on nights,i am not going in at 11am on my day off or when i work that night for some damn meeting to watch a bunch of professional meeting goers make this motion and second that so fast your head spins.

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2008

We applied for Magnet status & got it earlier this year.

We worked VERY hard to achieve this at my hospital.

I truly think that certain aspects of our job DID improve. Our staffing is better, on the whole.

I'm not saying it's great each & every nite, but on the whole, it is truly better. Our staffing, now, is based more on accuity vs. census.

Our nite staffing on a VERY busy Hem/Onc;Med/Surg unit is 1 RN to 5-6 pt's. Usually it's 4-5 but occasionally it is 6. Really, in over 2 yrs, it's not been above 6 pt's.

The Shared Governance has actually been quite positive. Not all staff, but many of us are on various committees. It's not mandatory.

We have made some VERY positive changes on our floor; There have been quite a few positive changes hospital-wide, also.

Our Pt. satisfaction went up---way up, actually;

I was surprised, personally. I was VERY negative in the beginning, but gradually my thinking changed as conditions here improved.

I see renewed energy in the nursing staff; I also see much more participation in professional growth.

I think the whole Magnet thing is what you make of it--also what your Administration will LET you make of it. You can't make changes unless admin. allows it, so it all depends on the level of committment.

I hope you can have a positive experience, as we did.

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Mar 18, 2008

And also, lest you forget, you can add your voice to the Magnet process by completing this survey:

http://www.nursecredentialing.org/magnet/snsurvey.html

Excerpt:

For already designated Magnet organizations, input is reviewed on an ongoing basis for trends. When the facility is identified, the CNO is notified if a particular issue appears to be surfacing regarding their facility and asked to follow-up with the Magnet office to ensure that the applicable Forces of Magnetism are still operating. As indicated above, all input remains anonymous.

jmgrn65, RN · Mar 18, 2008

The hospital has to pay tens of thousand of dollars to apply and go thru the process. My hospital has had it for a few years and if anything for nursing it has gotten worse. The floors now float to all floors except ICU,OB and OR. But cardiac nurses are floated to neuro or ortho and the other way around.

It is just a status symbol, just as (IMHO) the certifications nurses get so they can alphabet soup behind their name. Please no flaming I know you worked hard for that and payed alot of money.

hisblueskies · Mar 18, 2008

I think magnet status is one of the biggest scams around. I worked for one magnet hospital that was horrible. I've worked for other hospitals that were not magnet and they were wonderful. Getting the magnet status is prestige for the hospital but it's no guarantee it's going to make the nurse's job any easier.