Magnet - Turnoff For Anyone Else?

[PMFB-RN, RN]

So this weekend several of us ICU nurses where talking about our hospital's recent Magnet re-certification. All of us found it to be distasteful. We where told exactly what to say if questioned by the surveyors. In addition several things that where put into place for the Magnet re-certification where immediately dropped as soon as certification was achieved. These included the RN practice and leadership committees and the hospital's program to fund RN to BSN degrees for it's nurses. In addition this particular health system is not known to be a nice place to work with low pay, terrible benefits and total disrespect of nurses by management (I only work there casual and I do it for the great trauma experience).

I have also worked for one other hospital who when through their "Journey to Magnet" and it was a similar experience.

I happen to have a great (full time) job at a hospital where I am paid well, have good benefits and a great schedule and feel like I am treated with respect by management. Of course it is not a Magnet certified hospital. It has gotten to the point where when I hear "Magnet" it is a turn off. Several of the SICU nurses in the discussion expressed the same feeling.

Has anyone else come to feel this way?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Sounds like the hospital doesn't walk the talk.

The place I work has had Magnet status three times, and they're fabulous. They truly believe in continuing education and making their nurses happy, and they allocate a ridiculous amount of money each year for every employee for education, recertifications and CEUs.

[Sg0223RN]

Can the nurses complain to the Magnet committee? I too work at a so called Magnet hospital, however, they can care less about us. Night shift did not even see a Magnet person!!

[indigo girl]

My experience with a magnet workplace was not good. It seemed to be more about looking good on paper. We looked great on paper yet more than 40 employees left my unit in 5 years, and the hospital did nothing to change that. I left as well.

I have nothing against magnet. I just want for it to really mean something special, and to be worth the effort for staff to want to be a part of that.

[Up2nogood RN, RN]

Sounds like the hospital doesn't walk the talk.

The place I work has had Magnet status three times, and they're fabulous. They truly believe in continuing education and making their nurses happy, and they allocate a ridiculous amount of money each year for every employee for education, recertifications and CEUs.

Same story here. I worked per diem at our competitors (non magnet) and the work load and conditions were terrible. Everything that the magnet committee has put in place before re-certification stays the same.

[mandyc]

I have worked for Magnet and non-magnet hospitals. I can honestly say I am sure it has to do with the people that are there. For instance, My last job(non-magnet) would never even promote let alone PAY for certifications, However, I have never had so many opportunities in education and certification then I do now in a magnet hospital. My NEW managers listen and work with ideas and suggestions. They seem to really care about the opinion of the nurse and I believe that says a lot. However, when I asked nurses if there was a BIG difference since they became magnet they said "No"...So in all reality, it is the hospital of choice that you work for and not necessarily the "Status", "Certifications" and such that make the hospital what it is......My opinion anyway!!!!

[jeanPhD, RN]

The Magnet process itself is VERY pro nursing. It's all up to the hospital how they choose to design and implement it. The intention is there- to create practice environments that support and promote nursing. If I had some of the situations that you've mentioned [hospital only has benefits during the application process and pulls them after] I would report it to ANCC who provides Magnet recognition.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

I'm glad to hear the positive experiences above. Really, really glad to hear some hospitals still make patient care a priority. Too many have forgotten the patient and have made profit their only priority. Saw one place where for joint commission survey the had lots of empty boxes sealed and labeld "disaster supplies" and other such to fool the inspectors.

[Jules A, MSN]

My experience with a magnet workplace was not good. It seemed to be more about looking good on paper. We looked great on paper yet more than 40 employees left my unit in 5 years, and the hospital did nothing to change that. I left as well.

I have nothing against magnet. I just want for it to really mean something special, and to be worth the effort for staff to want to be a part of that.

Same here and unfortunately at my hospital it didn't mean squat.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

I agree with everyone. We lovingly call it "Achieving Maggot Status".

[blueheaven]

I have worked for Magnet and non-magnet hospitals. I can honestly say I am sure it has to do with the people that are there. For instance, My last job(non-magnet) would never even promote let alone PAY for certifications, However, I have never had so many opportunities in education and certification then I do now in a magnet hospital. My NEW managers listen and work with ideas and suggestions. They seem to really care about the opinion of the nurse and I believe that says a lot. However, when I asked nurses if there was a BIG difference since they became magnet they said "No"...So in all reality, it is the hospital of choice that you work for and not necessarily the "Status", "Certifications" and such that make the hospital what it is......My opinion anyway!!!!

I totally agree with your post. The caliber of upper management and the desire of said management to empower their nurses is crucial. You don't have to have Magnet to do that. Talk is cheap. Everything else is BS to make the hospital look good to the community.

I think Magnet could be a wonderful concept, but like anything else, there are those who work around the system just to get the title.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree that it depends on the individual people involved. The Magnet program can be used to promote a lot of really good things for both the staff and the patients -- but it can also be distorted and just used as a marketing tool to cover up bad practices.