Magnet status question

jmgrn65, RN · Oct 25, 2005

Hi We just rec'd Magnet status, and don't really see much difference. They are trying to have more staff nurses on all the committtee so that nurses have more input. :)

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Oct 25, 2005

Some places say yes, some say no. Personally, I have seen no difference. The only thing good...we can't mandate anymore.

JustMe · Oct 25, 2005

Magnet status is awarded by the ANA. It is meant to be a type of litmus test for the quality of nursing care provided by a facility. Not only nurses should be interested in Magnet, but patients as well. Magnet is not easily obtained. The nurses must be involved in committee meetings and such. The nurses need not be unionized. Hope this helps.:)

epiphany · Oct 25, 2005

A lot of that is exactly that - status. How a hospital gets that depends on how much funding they have - it takes a lot of money to make that application. So, usually, you can be sure it's a rich hospital. How much of that transfers into better work condition for nurses, that's usually prettier on paper that it is in reality. My school rotated in more than 10 city hospitals through our clinicals, and the ones with the magnet status inavariable have more resources but not necessary happier nurses. Or patients for that matter. But then I work in poor hospital that can't spare a sheet of paper, but I am here for the population that I want to work for. I don't want to work for some spoiled patient who won't wait two minutes for a pair of socks - and those were the kind of patients I saw in the magnet hospitals. But I am getting paid a lot less - magnet hospitals do pay better.

Nesher, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2005

Hate to disagree, but disagree I must.

There is a significant difference in a hospital with a magnet status and one without. I am employed by the first hospital in the country to attain this award ( and we still have it) and as a new clinical instructor diving into different hospitals in the area - believe me THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. At least at my place of employ. I am also a bit offended by the statement that pt's in magnet hospitals whine for a pair of socks. Sorry that is BS. I'm not going to get into this, but really...

land64shark · Oct 26, 2005

So could it be assumed that magnet hospitals would have good patient ratios, or is that making an a$$ out of u and me? I'm wondering because a magnet hospital that is offering me an earn as you learn scholorship for nursing school in exchange for a 2 year work commitment (in med/surg) has an 8-10 patient ratio round the clock with a CNA. Does that seem right?

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Oct 26, 2005

The magnet hospital I work at has some of the highest nurse to patient ratios (at least in my specialty which is NICU). We do have some really cool committees though :yeah:

HappyNurse2005, RN · Oct 26, 2005

There are 4 hospitals in my area. 2 are partner hospitals, 1 mile apart, that are actually in the process of consolidating into one. They are considered one "medical center"-and they have magnet status. There is also the VA hospital. Then another hospital(an HCA hospital)

I work at the magnet hospital, and did clinicals at the HCA hospital.

the ones with the magnet status inavariable have more resources but not necessary happier nurses. Or patients for that matter. But then I work in poor hospital that can't spare a sheet of paper, but I am here for the population that I want to work for. I don't want to work for some spoiled patient who won't wait two minutes for a pair of socks - and those were the kind of patients I saw in the magnet hospitals. But I am getting paid a lot less - magnet hospitals do pay better.

Yes, my magnet hospital does have more resources than the other 2 hospitals. We are the level 1 trauma center, have a nicu/picu, davinci heart surgery, blah, blah blah.

For new grad nurses, the magnet hospital is 2nd in line. VA pays top, then magnet, then HCA hospital. So no, magnet doesn't always pay better.

My patients aren't spoiled rich people who won't wait for a pair of socks. We are a non profit hospital system.(I have no idea if the VA is, but I know HCA is for profit). We are also the community hospital that takes the low income, no insurance patients. I have many medicare/medicaid/self pay/falling through the cracks patients. And many well off ones, as well. I think poor and well off pt's can whine for socks. WHining is not exclusive to the non-poor.

epiphany · Oct 27, 2005

Hate to disagree, but disagree I must.
There is a significant difference in a hospital with a magnet status and one without. I am employed by the first hospital in the country to attain this award ( and we still have it) and as a new clinical instructor diving into different hospitals in the area - believe me THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. At least at my place of employ. I am also a bit offended by the statement that pt's in magnet hospitals whine for a pair of socks. Sorry that is BS. I'm not going to get into this, but really...

I am sorry you are offended by my experience.

suzanne4, RN · Oct 27, 2005

It also depends on the state and other things. Magnet hospitals in some areas are the better ones, but not in all states.

I have seen new grads offered float positions in the NICU and the PICU, and this was a magnet hospital. These things can happen anywhere, and they do happen in the magnet hospitals as well.

I am currently working in a county facility, and just left a magnet hospital, and there are probably more committees at the county facility.

Tiny1Nisolet · Oct 27, 2005

Thanks everyone for your input.