Columbus Children's Hospital Achieves Highest Honor For Excellence in Nursing

April 6, 2005
Columbus Childrens Hospital has become the first freestanding childrens hospital in Ohio to receive Magnet Recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) of the American Nurses Association the highest honor for excellence in nursing.

Magnet Recognition, so named because these hospitals attract and retain the best nursing professionals, has been earned by only 145 hospitals and only eight of 250 childrens hospitals in the U.S.  This recognition program recognizes health care organizations that provide the best in nursing care and uphold the tradition of professional nursing practice.  It certifies that a hospital meets more than 60 criteria resulting in excellent patient outcomes and an optimal staff work environment. 

 This designation recognizes what we have always known about our nurses and the excellence in patient care they provide, said Thomas Hansen, M.D., Childrens C.E.O. and chairman, Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health.  Independent research indicates that Magnet Recognition hospitals exhibit improved nurse-to-patient ratios, increased levels of patient satisfaction, reduced mortality and morbidity rates and significantly higher educational preparation of the registered nurse workforce.

Magnet designation assists consumers, nursing recruits, physicians and other health care professionals in locating health care organizations that have a proven level of excellence.  This recognition is awarded only after a rigorous application process and a comprehensive three-day site visit, culminating in a review of the final report by an ANCC panel.     

Although Magnet Recognition is a national nursing designation, all of our staff, physicians and volunteers played an important role in helping Columbus Childrens achieve this prestigious honor, said Linda Stoverock, R.N., Childrens senior vice president and chief nursing officer.  A basic premise of Magnet is a climate that reinforces collaborative working relationships.  The ANCC reviewers take into consideration collaboration between nurses, physicians and allied health professionals.  This is a significant external validation for the excellent patient care and teamwork that occurs here at Columbus Childrens.

About Nationwide Children's Hospital

Named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-24 list of “Best Children’s Hospitals,” Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of America’s largest not-for-profit free-standing pediatric health care systems providing unique expertise in pediatric population health, behavioral health, genomics and health equity as the next frontiers in pediatric medicine, leading to best outcomes for the health of the whole child. Integrated clinical and research programs, as well as prioritizing quality and safety, are part of what allows Nationwide Children’s to advance its unique model of care. Nationwide Children’s has a staff of more than 14,000 that provides state-of-the-art wellness, preventive and rehabilitative care and diagnostic treatment during more than 1.7 million patient visits annually. As home to the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children’s physicians train the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists. The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the Top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded free-standing pediatric research facilities. More information is available at NationwideChildrens.org.