As with any profession, some workplaces are better than others. For people in the business world, working at one of the Fortune 500 companies is an impressive name to drop on a resume. For nurses, being part of a Magnet hospital staff is almost as impressive.
In fact, there are fewer Magnet hospitals than Fortune 500 companies—just 461 of US hospitals (8.28%) have Magnet status. But how much do you know about this exclusive designation? What does it mean for a hospital to gain Magnet status? Are nurses at Magnet hospitals happier?
What are Magnet Hospitals?
Magnet designation is an honor given to hospitals that showcase the highest quality of nursing care and innovation. The program’s origins began in the early 1980s, when nursing shortages were becoming a problem, and hospitals needed tools to retain staff. Using hospitals with low turnover as reference points, the American Academy of Nursing found 14 traits, which they called “The Forces of Magnetism”.
These forces helped to explain why nurses were attracted to these hospitals—and why they stayed. Since 1994, the Magnet status has been given to hospitals with high levels of satisfaction and autonomy among nurses, as well as excellent patient care records and satisfaction.
The Five Components of Magnets
Although there were 14 original traits of Magnets, these can be grouped into 5 major components:
- Transformational leadership
- Empowerment
- Exemplary professional practice
- Innovation and continual improvement
- Outcomes
When you look at these criteria, it’s easy to see why only a few hospitals can attain the Magnet program’s gold standard of nursing. Having effective leaders at all levels who value and empower nurses to contribute to decision-making and innovation is challenging—but makes for a fulfilling work environment. Nurses who feel empowered and engaged provide higher-quality care and are more willing to implement new evidence-based initiatives.
Benefits and Potential Downsides to Working for a Magnet Hospital
Many nurses covet jobs at Magnet hospitals—and for good reason. Nurses working at these hospitals are 18% less likely to be dissatisfied with their jobs, making them more likely to stay in their positions long-term. They enjoy opportunities for development and autonomy, and work with other nurses invested in providing care of the highest caliber. Beyond these benefits, nurses learn a great deal while working in a Magnet facility. There may also be opportunities for advancement within the nursing hierarchy, especially if the nurse has taken courses on healthcare practice management.
As with anything, however, there are some potential downsides to the program. Since the program is more the 20 years old at this point, there’s always potential for hospitals to vie for the designation without caring about the reasons behind creating Magnet hospitals in the first place. After gaining the designation, some nurses were asked to work longer hours to help make up for the deficit, and working conditions are not always improved at hospitals that have Magnet status. In addition, Magnet hospitals can have issues with diversity—they hired 9% nurses of color, compared with 16% at US hospitals overall.
How Hospitals Become Magnets
Becoming a Magnet is costly—but it can pay for itself in as little as two years with the increased revenue the status brings. The average cost is $2,125,000 and the process takes about 4.25 years to complete. The process includes data collection, feedback from nursing staff, analysis of nurse empowerment, and minimum standards for nurse management.
Nurses in leadership must be registered nurses, with nurse leaders holding a bachelor’s degree, and Chief Nursing Officers holding a Master’s degree. The requirements and accreditation processes are rigorous, which is why so few hospitals are designated as Magnets. Once accredited, hospitals gain the Magnet status for four years, but need to reapply after the initial accreditation has expired.
Magnet Hospitals Show that Nursing Quality Makes a Difference
A hospital doesn’t have to be a Magnet to be named one of the 20 best hospitals in the United States—but it certainly helps. 17 out of the top 20 hospitals for 2017-2018 were Magnets, which shows just how key quality nursing is to patient care and satisfaction. When it comes to outcomes, you can’t argue with the numbers: Magnet hospitals have a 14% lower mortality risk than non-Magnets. Of course, there are other variables in play, but the results are telling: satisfied and engaged nursing staff makes a big difference.
