The Johns Hopkins Hospital has once again achieved Magnet designation in recognition of its nursing excellence. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program is the highest national credential for professional nursing practice. Only about 7.5 percent of U.S. health care organizations have achieved Magnet recognition.

The Johns Hopkins Hospital is among less than 1 percent of hospitals in the U.S. that have earned Magnet recognition four consecutive times, holding the distinction since 2003.

“Our nurses are vital team members who are not only committed to providing extraordinary care, but also help drive the innovative thought that has distinguished Hopkins throughout its history,” said Redonda Miller, president of The Johns Hopkins Hospital. “The Magnet recognition we first achieved 15 years ago has raised the bar for patient care. It helps inspire every member of our team to excellence every day. Our commitment to providing patients with the highest quality care is the reason we continue to pursue and maintain Magnet recognition.”

“Johns Hopkins nurses are innovators and leaders, driving improvements in clinical care, patient safety and nursing practice across the institution,” said Deborah Baker, senior vice president for nursing for the Johns Hopkins Health System and vice president of nursing and patient care services for The Johns Hopkins Hospital. “Magnet designation is a testament to the excellence of our nurses and recognition of the outstanding, compassionate care they provide to every patient and family who walks through our doors. It also highlights the collaborative relationships with all members of the health care team that our nurses so greatly value.”

To achieve initial Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff members. This process includes an electronic application, written patient care documentation, an on-site visit and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition.

Health care organizations must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet concepts and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality. An organization reapplying for Magnet recognition must provide documented evidence to demonstrate how staff members sustained and improved Magnet concepts, performance and quality over the four-year period since the organization received its most recent recognition.

Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities, such as:

• Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information.
• Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure-to-rescue rates.
• Higher job satisfaction among nurses.
• Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions.

Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is a factor when the public judges health care organizations. U.S. News & World Report’s annual showcase of “America’s Best Hospitals” includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care.

The Magnet Model provides a framework for nursing practice, research and measurement of outcomes. Through this framework, ANCC evaluates applicants across a number of components and dimensions to gauge an organization’s nursing excellence.

The foundation of this model comprises various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.

For more information about the Magnet Recognition Program, visit Nursing World.