Nationwide Childrens Hospital Re-designated as a Magnet Hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Centers

The American Nurses Credentialing Centers (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®  for excellence in nursing services has once again awarded Nationwide Childrens Hospital as a Magnet hospital. This prestigious recognition is the ultimate benchmark in nursing excellence, and is awarded to fewer than 5 percent of hospitals across the country. Of that number, only 2 percent have achieved re-designation.

This is an exciting achievement and validation of our mission to provide the highest quality care to all children and their families, said Steve Allen, MD, chief executive officer of Nationwide Childrens Hospital. Being a Magnet hospital helps in our recruiting efforts to attract and retain the best physicians, nurses and researchers.

According to the ANCC, the leading nursing credentialing organization in the United States, Magnet achievement is widely accepted as the gold standard of patient care. The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes excellence and professionalism in nursing. Applicants undergo an extensive evaluation, and members who are awarded Magnet status must continue to maintain rigorous standards as part of their four-year designation. To reapply for and receive Magnet status for an additional four years is confirmation of the hospitals resolve to deliver the highest level of care in nursing today.

To earn Magnet status once is a tremendous accomplishment and a great source of pride for our nurses, continued Linda Stoverock, RN, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Nationwide Childrens. To retain Magnet status for another four years really underscores the commitment of our entire staff to continually strive harder each day to meet the healthcare needs of the people we serve.

Nationwide Childrens was the first freestanding pediatric hospital in Ohio to achieve Magnet status in April 2005, and this latest designation will stand until 2013. During the last two years, the Magnet Steering Committee and Magnet Champions at Nationwide Childrens worked diligently to compile and submit a 1,300 page re-designation document (April 2009) and prepare staff for the Magnet appraisers three-day site visit (July 2009).

Were a better institution today because of our Magnet achievement four years ago, said Stoverock. It raised the bar on patient care and inspired all of us nurses, physicians, professional and support staff to strive to be even better. Thats what enabled us to become a Magnet facility in the first place. Thats why we continue to serve our patients and families as a Magnet hospital today.