In 1993, through the research base established in the 1980’s, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), established a formal program to acknowledge excellence in nursing services: the Magnet Recognition Program®.
This program is now considered the “gold standard” for nursing excellence and quality patient care in healthcare organizations nationally and internationally. To date, 2011, 391 organizations in 45 states and the District of Columbia, as well as five international healthcare organizations have met the 88 Sources of Evidence, or standards, for nursing excellence. Only 7% of US hospitals have received Magnet designation. There are two hospitals in the State of Connecticut with Magnet designation.
In 2008, the ANCC Commission introduced a new vision, and a new conceptual model that grouped the 14 Forces of Magnetism, listed below, into 6 key components:
- Transformational Leadership
- Structural Empowerment
- Exemplary Professional Practice
- New Knowledge
- Innovation and Improvement
- Empirical Outcomes
Magnet Recognition Program: Forces of Magnetism
- Quality of Nursing Leadership
- Organizational Structure
- Management Style
- Personnel Policies and Programs
- Professional Models of Care
- Quality of Care
- Quality Improvement
- Consultation and Resources
- Autonomy Community and Healthcare Organization
- Nurses as Teachers
- Image of Nursing
- Interdisciplinary Relationships
- Professional Development
St. Vincent’s Medical Center embarked on its journey toward Magnet Designation in September 2010. In February 2012, our team will submit our Magnet Document to the ANCC for consideration.