Our Journey of Nursing Excellence

Several years ago, AGH/HS decided to embark upon the journey towards Magnet Designation. Magnet Designation is the highest honor awarded for nursing excellence and is one of the ultimate benchmarks to measure quality care provided by healthcare organizations. To find out more about AGH/HS’s own Journey of Excellence, please see our quarterly JOE Newsletter.

The Magnet Recognition Program provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark to measure the quality of care that they can expect to receive. It is based on quality indicators and standards of nursing practice as defined in the American Nurses Association's Scope and Standards for Nurse Administrators (2004). The Scope and Standards for Nurse Administrators and other “foundational documents” form the base upon which the Magnet environment is built.

The Magnet designation process includes the appraisal of qualitative factors in nursing. These factors, referred to as “Forces of Magnetism” were first identified through research done in 1983. The full expression of the Forces embodies a professional environment guided by a strong visionary nursing leader who advocates and supports development and excellence in nursing practice. As a natural outcome of this, the program elevates the reputation and standards of the nursing profession.

It is given to healthcare organizations that demonstrate the 5 Model Components of Magnetism: transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, new knowledge, innovation, & improvements, and empirical quality results. Atlantic General Hospital and Health System is working toward achieving this high honor.



Characteristics of Designated Hospitals

• Higher RN job satisfaction
• Enhanced nurse-physician collaboration
• Increased patient/family satisfaction
• Reduced complaints from family members
• High quality of nursing care
• Investment in professional development
• Decreased vacancy and turnover rates
• Ability to attract high-quality physicians
• Positive, collaborative, engaging work environment for all employees

Information provided by the American Nurses Credentialing Center