Scenario - There is a new Board running the hospital, and they are aggressive about the hospital being the best in the State. They have decided that you are best suited to lead the nurses in the hospital so that they will initially get status. From there, they are planning on having the nurses lead the way by having every nurse be a leader in their field. Your knowledge of how to reach these milestones is the reason that you were selected to lead the nurses in the hospital.
Read the scenario above, and then answer the following questions:
What will the nurses need to do so that the hospital will become magnet status and be respected in the industry?
What other certifications and awards, etc., will the nurses need to obtain so that the hospital will be named a magnet institution?
What types of organizational designs and structures will need to happen for magnet status?
Drive Quality Outcomes: Nurses must consistently demonstrate superior patient outcomes relevant to their practice, such as reducing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), lowering patient fall rates, and improving patient satisfaction scores. Magnet status requires showing sustained improvement on nationally benchmarked indicators.
Interprofessional Collaboration: Nurses must actively collaborate with physicians, allied health professionals, and management, leading interprofessional rounds and quality initiatives. Respect in the industry is earned when nursing is seen as a powerful, collaborative partner in holistic patient care.
Innovation and Research: Nurses must participate in nursing research and innovation, either as primary investigators or contributors, to generate new knowledge and validate nursing interventions.
2. Certifications and Awards Required for Magnet Recognition
Magnet recognition is not just about the hospital applying; it requires demonstrably high levels of nursing education and certification among the staff.
Required Nursing Credentials and Metrics:
Baccalaureate Education (BSN) Rate: The hospital must show a high percentage (typically aiming for 80% or higher) of nurse managers and clinical nurses holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or higher degree. This metric underscores the academic preparation required for advanced critical thinking and leadership.
Sample Answer
The scenario presents a mandate to achieve Magnet recognition, which signifies nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes, making the hospital the "best in the State." Achieving this requires significant changes in nursing practice, professional development, and organizational structure, all driven by nurse leadership.
1. Achieving Magnet Status and Industry Respect
To achieve Magnet status and gain industry respect, nurses must fundamentally shift their practice from task-oriented to evidence-based, empowered professional practice.
Key Actions Nurses Must Undertake:
Elevate Professional Practice Standards: Nurses must consistently integrate the latest research evidence into their daily clinical decisions, moving away from relying on outdated routines or tradition. This includes championing evidence-based practice (EBP) projects that improve patient outcomes.
Active Shared Governance: Nurses must engage in a formal system of shared governance, where clinical nurses participate in—and often lead—decision-making processes that affect clinical practice, quality improvement, and the work environment (e.g., policy committees, staffing councils). This demonstrates autonomy and accountability.