Magnet status what does it mean

orrnlori, RN · Mar 6, 2004

I'm afraid my impression is not great. Our teaching hospital was the first in the city (maybe even state) to be designated with Magnet Status. I recommend you search the topic. To me it just means that the administration and nursing managers schmoozed the right people to get the designation. We have great nurses, but they are understaffed, underpaid, and overworked. I don't see where you are guaranteed any better care just because the administration managed to get the title. We, at the hospital, think it's a joke. I don't know any nurse who takes it seriously as anything other than an advertising ploy by the administration. Believe me, it doesn't make management treat their "magnet" nurses any better.

Stitchie · Mar 6, 2004

The hospital where I used to work was trying very hard to achieve magnet status. That meant lots of extra work and charting for the nurses, but very little changed in terms of patient care. My experience was that it was mostly a paper trail of charting: pain goals, d/c goals, notes q shift, braden scores, fall assessments, etc. Necessary things, but most of this is covered in good, basic nursing care.

It seems strange that "magnet status" has become the holy grail of nursing suddenly. Weren't things like pain control, for patients, and good nursing retention rates important before "magnet status" came to be?

It appears, IMHO, that "magnet status" is yet another buzzword splashed around by those (management) types who want recognition and promotions, not happy, well run departments and happy staff nurses.

"Magnet", like JHACO, is trouble for nurses; pointless for patients. But that's just MHO.

bellehill, RN · Mar 6, 2004

Magnet status is supposed to mean your hospital has better nurse ratios and more satisfied staff with more autonomy. What it actually means is a different story. I am convinced after working in 3 magnet hospitals that those with the money get the title. There is an info page at the ANA website about magnet hospitals, you should check it out.

nursemaa · Mar 6, 2004

I thought that the original idea behind magnet status was great- better ratios, more nursing involvement in policies, decision-making, etc. My concern all along has been that it would become more about money and politics than nursing.

kids · Mar 7, 2004

OK, so basicly it means nothing to me as a patient.

capgirl · Mar 7, 2004

Last year I visited my dad in the hospital (in another state) That hospital was a Magnet hospital. I was very surprised to find that the nurses there were just as harried and overworked at the rest of us. I did ask about the magnet status. Dad's nurse was very under-whelmed when talking about it.

Like I said, I was surprised. I thought magnet meant good work environment.

fergus51 · Mar 7, 2004

I wonder why their turnover rate is lower if the working conditions aren't better.

Stitchie · Mar 7, 2004

I wonder why their turnover rate is lower if the working conditions aren't better.

At the hospital where I was, the reputation was good, the location was good, and the pay was the best in the area. But beyond that I haven't seen many of the plusses!