The Magnet designation:
Another national honor for St. Louis Children’s Hospital
St. Louis Children’s Hospital (SLCH) received the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence, the Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), in 2005.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital achieved Magnet status after an intensive two-year application and evaluation process, which involved submitting more than 2,600 pages of documentation showing examples of the work accomplished by nursing staff. Standards of nursing care evaluated include clinical competence and assessment, education, certification, cultural diversity, and collaboration.
The standards are tough. Only 3 percent of almost 5,000 hospitals nationwide have Magnet status.
Magnet means excellence in nursing
The designation is called ‘Magnet’ because the nursing culture in the organization is one that enables the hospital to attract and retain outstanding nurses, like a magnet. Nurses and other clinical personnel want to work at Magnet hospitals because of their reputation for both excellent care and supportive environments for staff. Although this honor signifies excellence in nursing, it also reflects the caliber of the entire organization.
For the healthcare consumer, Magnet recognition is a seal of approval for quality nursing care. Magnet hospitals must meet high patient care standards and have superior patient outcomes and patient satisfaction.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital employs more than 800 nurses in every pediatric medical and surgical specialty. Each year, about 275,000 patients visit the hospital. SLCH has served patients from all 50 states and nearly 60 countries.
Achieving a nursing vision
Input from nursing staff and leadership led to the initial pursuit of Magnet status, a key component in achieving a vision of nursing excellence at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. This broad effort includes advancement in:
- professional development
- research
- evidence-based practice
- national recognition