"where" are the "magnet hospitals PLEASE?

scooterRN52 · Nov 19, 2004

So...magnet status is really just a bunch of political rhetoric? No extra concerted efforts to recruit, retain, involve staff, educate staff, increased staff for workloads and so forth?

Magnet status is all about, paperwork, and politics! I've worked in a magnet hospital for the past 6 years, we are a specialty hospital and we do have the lowest nurse to patient ratio in the nation. That is one of the reasons they retain their nurses, I work night shift ; surgical/ telemetry I have 3-4 patients. We know everything about our patients, because we have the time.

I have worked in a few large city hospitals, but you have so many patients

that it sometimes becomes unsafe. I plan to stay where I am until I retire.

I should also mention that our nsg dept. encourages education and will work w/ your schedule so you can attend classes. They also have a clinical ladder

for all nsg. staff. There are some things they don't offer that other hospitals

do, but I like it here and most of my co-workers do too.

:) :) scooterRN52

nursegoodlove · Nov 19, 2004

Magnet status is all about, paperwork, and politics! I've worked in a magnet hospital for the past 6 years, we are a specialty hospital and we do have the lowest nurse to patient ratio in the nation. That is one of the reasons they retain their nurses, I work night shift ; surgical/ telemetry I have 3-4 patients. We know everything about our patients, because we have the time.
I have worked in a few large city hospitals, but you have so many patients
that it sometimes becomes unsafe. I plan to stay where I am until I retire.
I should also mention that our nsg dept. encourages education and will work w/ your schedule so you can attend classes. They also have a clinical ladder
for all nsg. staff. There are some things they don't offer that other hospitals
do, but I like it here and most of my co-workers do too.
:) :) scooterRN52

Your ratio's, opportunity for education and advancement would certainly be good incentive to "stay"! Good for YOU! And thanks for letting me know these things actually do exist!

scooterRN52 · Nov 19, 2004

Your ratio's, opportunity for education and advancement would certainly be good incentive to "stay"! Good for YOU! And thanks for letting me know these things actually do exist!

Your quite welcome, by the way, the specialty is oncology and the hospital exists in Philadelphia.

good luck to you! :balloons:

featherzRN, MSN · Nov 19, 2004

I work for a magnet hospital in California and so far, I love it! :)

pricklypear · Nov 19, 2004

I thought (don't know why) that one of the requirements for magnet status was a low nurse/patient ratio. That would be enough incentive to stay for most people.

mattsmom81 · Nov 19, 2004

I am glad to hear the ratio is low at some magnet hospitals...I have not seen the same in my parts. Good to know it can be done and it means something somewhere. :)

3:1 ratio on Tele? How nice...I get that ratio down here in ICU with all the vents, drips, bells and whistles of critical care. I think we should all get recruited to Scooter's hospital!! LOL! :)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2004

I work for a magnet hospital and the ratios suck. I've been here for 14 years so I don't know any better. But travelers tell me they definately see a difference in staff morale, patient care, etc. in magnet vs. nonmagnet hospitals. At least that's what they said during our recent recertification visit.

The big thing with us is policy change is frequently initiated by nurses. For instance we don't like the PCA's the hospital has. Nurses are looking at different models and will decide which one to buy. Standards of care and policy are written at the staff nurse level. This is the kind of thing that impresses Magnet the most imo.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2004

I thought (don't know why) that one of the requirements for magnet status was a low nurse/patient ratio. That would be enough incentive to stay for most people.

I'm fairly sure magnet doesn't go into nurse pt. ratio issues.

However, if the ratios are high, the quality of care is poor, nurse retention is poor, etc. and magnet status is a dream.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Nov 20, 2004

Our hospital has been surveyed by the magnet people and we are awaiting their final conclusion as to whether or not we will be "magnet".

Let me assure everyone out there that having low ratios is certainly not a deterrent to applying for magnet. I'll let ya'll know if we get accepted. Our NICU has the highest patient ratios in the entire area. As I mentioned in another thread; daycares with well babies have better ratios (mandated by the state) than our ICU .