UConn Health has launched its journey to Magnet nursing excellence recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center of the American Association of Nursing (AAN).
“Magnet designation is the ultimate honor for a hospital’s high-quality nursing,” says Sue Ellen Goodrich, RN, nursing director of Professional Practice for UConn Health. “Research shows us that stellar nursing practice truly makes a difference in patient care and outcomes.”
To pave the road to Magnet status for its more than 1,200 nurses, UConn John Dempsey Hospital is raising patient safety, satisfaction, and evidence-based outcomes benchmarks to above the national average, while increasing nurse satisfaction, retention, collaboration, research, and professional development opportunities.
Of the 5,564 hospitals in the U.S., only 6.6 percent are Magnet-designated, with 460 total Magnet hospitals worldwide. In Connecticut, Magnet nurses work at Bristol Hospital, Middlesex Hospital, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Yale New Haven Hospital, Stamford Hospital, and Greenwich Hospital.
The Magnet Recognition program, created in 1990, is based on 14 “Forces of Magnetism” characteristics grouped into five pillars: Transformational Leadership; Structural Empowerment; Exemplary Professional Practice; New Knowledge, Innovation, and Improvements; and Empirical Outcomes.
To jumpstart the Magnet journey, UConn Health has adopted a nursing professional practice model of compassion, integrity, collaboration, and innovation, with improvement initiatives aimed at preventing patient falls, central line-associated blood stream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and hospital-acquired pressure ulcers.
In addition, as a new member of the national program NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders), UConn Health is committed to advancing nursing excellence for the growing geriatric population over 65, which is at higher risk for hospital complications.
By 2020, UConn’s goal is to grow from 64 percent to 80 percent of RNs with a baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing. The new Nursing Research Council and Nursing Research Fellows Program will work to translate research for use at patient bedsides.
“Magnet status is the strongest signal to patients, referring physicians and potential nurse employees that the highest quality care and nursing excellence is available at a healthcare institution,” says Ann Marie Capo, RN, the chief nursing officer at UConn Health whose leadership and vision was pivotal for the Magnet journey’s launch. “We look forward to completion of our Magnet journey and building an even stronger foundation upon our current nursing excellence, while providing even greater benefits to our patients and nurses.”
