What is a Magnet hospital and why should nurses care?

In the field of health care, Magnet hospitals stand as pillars of excellence, distinguished by their steadfast commitment to providing superior nursing practices and patient care. The prestigious Magnet Recognition Program® serves as the gold standard for nursing excellence, building professional environments that foster innovation, collaboration, and leadership. The distinction of working at a Magnet hospital signals a nurse's dedication to the highest standards and often correlates with immense personal and professional fulfillment. For nurses aspiring to make a significant impact on their communities, employment at a Magnet hospital is much more than a job—it's a platform for advancement for their careers and health care as a whole.

What does it mean to be a Magnet hospital?

The Magnet Recognition Program was created by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to identify healthcare organizations that provide nursing excellence and to disseminate successful nursing practices and strategies among healthcare organizations.¹

The concept of a program to identify work environments that attract and retain well-qualified nurses started in 1983. The American Academy of Nursing (AAN) conducted a study to determine the characteristics that distinguished these organizations, calling them “Forces of Magnetism.” In 1990 the program was built upon the findings of the study and named the Magnet Recognition Program for Excellence in Nursing Services, with the University of Washington Medical Center becoming the first ANCC Magnet-designated organization.

The program has been iterated upon and restructured many times since its inception and in 2002 the was officially renamed The Magnet Recognition Program. Changes to the program include expanding to include long-term care facilities like rehab centers and nursing homes and also to recognize health care organizations outside of the United States.¹ Over time some aspects like the standards required to be designated Magnet and the types of data and evidence hospitals must submit to receive recognition have also changed.¹ Overall, however, the end goals of the program remains the same¹:

• Promoting quality in a setting that supports professional practice
• Identifying excellence in the delivery of nursing services to patients
• Disseminating “best practices” in nursing services

As of December 2024, 9.8% of hospitals in the US are designated members of the Magnet Recognition Program. In total, 617 organizations including 601 in the US and 16 internationally are designated Magnet organizations.²

Benefits of Magnet hospitals for nurses

Building on the exceptional standards set by Magnet hospitals, nurses enjoy a work environment rich in opportunities for growth and development. With practice environments being crucial to the so-called Magnet effect, these institutions foster a culture where nursing professionals are empowered and respected. Magnet hospitals epitomize an organizational structure where chief nurses are not only visible but actively accessible, ensuring nurses feel supported and valued.^3,4

Such settings encourage nurses to participate in decision-making processes within their units as well as across the organization, amplifying their voices and honing their leadership skills. This heightened sense of inclusion leads to a deeper level of professional engagement, where nurses are not just care providers but pivotal figures shaping patient outcomes and organizational policies.⁴

In the broader context of health care quality, there's an undeniable influence of nursing on patient satisfaction, a pillar of value-based care. In an environment where medical services often overshadow the critical contributions of nursing care, Magnet hospitals offer a resounding counterpoint, championing the idea that enhancing the nursing practice environment is not only possible but essential to elevating the entire health care system's quality standards. Becoming a Magnet hospital is a rigorous process that requires a huge investment on the part of hospital leadership of many levels. This dedication, as well as the Magnet status, can signal to nurses that the organization sees their nursing staff as a critical part of the team. Rather than resting on static structural features, these institutions embrace adaptable, nurse-centric policies that fuel excellence, from planning and development stages to implementation, underscoring the indelible impact of nursing on the patient experience and care quality. Magnet status is shown to have many organization-wide benefits including:^3,4

• Job satisfaction and employee retention rates are higher at Magnet-recognized organizations (which also results in lower costs for the organization) 
• Magnet-recognized organizations employ the best-trained and most qualified nurses
• In studies of Magnet environment characteristics, more positive practice environments have been associated with higher nurse-perceived quality of care and higher nurse-perceived unit effectiveness
• More positive practice environments have been associated with higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help, and receipt of discharge information
• Patients also see better outcomes including lower mortality rates, lower failure-to-rescue, lower fall rates, lower nosocomial infections, lower central line-associated bloodstream infection rates and lower length of stays.

The five pillars of Magnet hospital status

While there were originally 14 Forces of Magnetism, in 2008 a commission of the ANCC restructured the program to group the Forces into five key components.^1,2 This updated model puts a bigger emphasis on measuring outcomes and allows for a more streamlined process for hospitals applying to receive designation by simplifying the documentation required. The five Model components include:⁵

Transformational Leadership

This component gives recognition to the fact that the health care system is constantly in flux and needs leaders who aren’t just quick to respond but working several steps ahead of change to prepare their organizations for what’s next. Today’s healthcare leaders aren’t just responsible for meeting the status quo but to be innovating at the root of the organization’s culture. Similar to leaders in other industries who have been navigating the employment challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, healthcare administrators must also learn the tenets of successful change management. As the ANCC website explains, “It is relatively easy to lead people where they want to go; the transformational leader must lead people to where they need to be in order to meet the demands of the future.”

Structural Empowerment

In regard to fulfilling this component, the ANCCN writes that “one size does not fit all.” The focus of this characteristic is all-encompassing and encourages organizations to have a solid mission, strategic vision, procedures and policies that all align to promote a culture of excellence however that best suits each individual institution. This component also puts an emphasis on the importance of strengthening practice via relationships and partnerships with external organizations to work together to elevate the level of care available to a community.

Exemplary Professional Practice

Previous Forces of Magnetism including Professional Models of Care, Consultation and Resources, Autonomy, Nurses as Teachers and Interdisciplinary relationships are all tied together in this component. One of the most straightforward components, it hones in on the core work of nurses and emphasizes using best practices in all areas of the profession.⁴

New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements

While the previous components can be considered building blocks for excellence, this component focuses on the goals or outputs of being a Magnet Recognition Program organization. Exploring care and practice models, quality improvement efforts, and continuing to find new evidence and new applications for evidence based practice in the science of nursing are all critical for fostering a dynamic professional environment of care.

Empirical Outcomes

The Empirical Outcomes component envelops the others to be both the result of those efforts as well as providing goals to aim for. The ANCC explains that, “the question for the future is not ‘What do you do?’ or ‘How do you do it?’ but rather, ‘What difference have you made?’” Because the Magnet program previously focused on strengthening processes within hospitals, assuming positive outcomes would follow, there wasn’t a reliable set of benchmarks to use to measure others. As the organization pushes to set these standards they’re trying to leave the definitions for measures of success flexible but categorized in terms of clinical outcomes related to nursing; workforce outcomes; patient and consumer outcomes; and organizational outcomes.

Can a hospital lose Magnet status?

Achieving Magnet status is a testament to a hospital's commitment to nursing excellence and outstanding patient care. However, it is essential to acknowledge that the prestige of Magnet recognition is not permanent and must be continually earned through a rigorous re-designation process every four years. This requirement ensures that a hospital's dedication to the high standards demanded by the Magnet Recognition Program® is not just a one-time goal but an ongoing priority.

A hospital may face the challenge of losing its Magnet status for various reasons. Occasionally, the arduous journey to maintain this designation may appear outweighed by the benefits in some institutions’ eyes. Maintaining Magnet status entails a significant investment, both financially and in terms of human resources, with the initial designation sometimes exceeding a cost of $2 million and significant efforts dedicated to the redesignation process. Beyond the financial aspect, achieving and keeping Magnet status requires an unwavering commitment to an environment where nurse leadership, decision-making participation, and evidence-based practice are the norms rather than the exception.^6,7

If a hospital decides not to reapply for Magnet status or if it reapplies but does not meet the increasingly stringent criteria, it could indicate a shift in organizational priorities or challenges within the institution. Instances like the case of UC Davis Medical Center in 2006, which temporarily lost its Magnet designation due to labor issues, underscore that even well-regarded hospitals are not immune to the complexities involved in upholding such a celebrated certification.⁸ It's also possible for hospitals to forgo their Magnet status to focus resources on other significant endeavors, such as expanding facilities or navigating substantial organizational changes.

The loss of Magnet status can carry serious implications for a hospital's community image, staff morale, and recruitment efforts. For example, nurses might interpret losing Magnet designation as a reflection of the hospital's declining commitment to the principles of the Magnet program, particularly if the loss seems connected to labor concerns. Given that studies affirm improved work environments and job satisfaction at Magnet hospitals, it is prudent for facilities to strive to uphold the high bar set by the Magnet Recognition Program®.

Nurses play a pivotal role in this iterative process, contributing to the perpetual re-examination and advancement of practices, much like the journey demonstrated by White Plains Hospital, which saw incremental growth and adaptation through each of their designation cycles. The ongoing success of a Magnet hospital, as evidenced in such cases, is deeply intertwined with engaging and mobilizing the entire nursing staff and upholding the principles of the Magnet program in their daily pursuit of excellence in patient care and professional nursing practice.6,7

How to get a job at a Magnet hospital

Securing a position at a Magnet hospital can be a competitive goal for many nursing professionals, as these institutions are revered for their commitment to excellence in nursing practice and patient care. Achieving this requires meticulous preparation and showcasing a specific set of skills and qualifications that align with the values of these institutions.

Here are key tips and considerations for nurses aspiring to join a Magnet hospital:

• Research the Magnet Recognition Program® to grasp the pillars of Magnet status: transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, and innovation. Be ready to articulate your nursing philosophy and how it integrates with the core values of the Magnet program.
• Familiarize yourself with the particular Magnet hospital's mission, vision, and values. Connect with current employees at the Magnet hospital to gain insights into the workplace culture. Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to these during interviews and on your application.

• Ensure your resume reflects a strong clinical background and any specializations or certifications that are high in demand. If applicable, detail your involvement in nursing research, evidence-based practice projects, or publication in professional journals.
• Magnet hospitals value continuous learning, so include any higher education you're pursuing or have completed, like a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Show a track record of professional growth through attending workshops, seminars, or conferences related to nursing excellence.

• Magnet hospitals prioritize teamwork across disciplines. Share past experiences where you worked collaboratively with different health care professionals to improve patient outcomes. Offer examples of how you've contributed to team efforts and the successful implementation of patient care initiatives.

• Share any leadership roles you have held, whether in a formal nurse leadership position or as a charge nurse coordinating care and other staff members.
• Exhibit advocacy for patient care quality and highlight any initiatives you have led or participated in that showcase your commitment to patient advocacy.

• During interviews, be prepared to discuss how your personality traits and soft skills enhance patient care and nursing practice; Magnet hospitals look for individuals with excellent communication, critical thinking, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.
• Anticipate questions that align with Magnet principles, such as those about patient care scenarios, collaboration, leadership, and how you deal with challenges.

Securing a job at a Magnet hospital means showcasing not only your skills and qualifications but also a genuine alignment with the core principles of a Magnet culture. It's an integration of your technical expertise, personal attributes, and ongoing dedication to the advancement of the nursing profession that will make you stand out as an exemplary candidate for these elite health care institutions.

Embrace Magnet-Level Nursing With OCU’s Online Programs

Aspiring to work at a Magnet hospital means staying informed about emerging trends and potential changes in the Magnet Recognition Program. Continuous advancements in health care and nursing informatics, quality improvement, and patient satisfaction metrics are reshaping expectations for nursing professionals. Prospective candidates should be prepared for evolving benchmarks that further refine what Magnet excellence represents, ensuring that the care provided remains at the forefront of innovation and quality.

Employment opportunities for nurses at Magnet hospitals are highly-desired roles. One way to differentiate yourself from the competition is to earn a higher nursing degree such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing, to demonstrate to hiring managers that you’re prepared to deliver the highest level of care that they expect. The online RN-BSN and online MSN programs at Oklahoma City University can help you earn a coveted spot at a Magnet hospital. With the top-ranked nursing program in Oklahoma, you can be assured you will learn from experts who’ve been in your shoes and can help you within and beyond the classroom to achieve your career goals. Schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor to learn more.