St. Mary's is an award-winning Magnet hospital
In 2002, St. Mary's nurses became the first and only nurses in Madison and all of South Central Wisconsin to achieve Magnet Recognition for nursing excellence. Magnet designation is the highest level of recognition any organized nursing service can achieve. Fewer than five percent of hospitals in the nation share this coveted honor. In 2006, St. Mary's was re-designated as a Magnet hospital. Meeting the requirements for Magnet twice is an exceptional achievement, especially since the Magnet program raises the bar for organizations that are re-designating. Magnet appraisers not only assure that the already tough criteria are being met, but they also validate that the organization is performing at a consistently higher level of performance as compared to the initial designation.
What is Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Services?
It is an award given by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the nation’s largest and foremost nursing accrediting and credentialing organization.
The Magnet Recognition Program for Excellence in Nursing Services was developed to recognize superior quality of care and nursing excellence.
Why is “Magnet” status important?
Magnet hospitals act as a “magnet” for excellence.
Magnet-designated nursing organizations:
- Offer an environment that attracts and retains the best and brightest nurses in the profession.Research demonstrates that Magnet facilities consistently out perform their peers in recruiting and retaining nurses.
- Employ nurses who continuously develop their expertise
- Support professional growth and development of their nurses
- Have a nursing leadership structure that embraces the value of nurses and empowers them. Research shows that core values such as empowerment, pride, mentoring, nurturing, respect, integrity and teamwork are demonstrated in Magnet facilities.
- Meet the nations highest standards for nursing excellence
- Attract high quality physicians and specialists
What Magnet Recognition means for patients/consumers:
- Helps patients and consumers identify health care organizations that have a proven level of excellence in nursing care (Magnet-designated facilities).
- Provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark to measure the quality of care they can expect to receive.
The Magnet Recognition Program elevates the standards of the nursing profession.