MAGNET DESIGNATION

• AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's Magnet Journey
• What are the objectives of the Magnet Recognition Program?
• What are the benefits of AtlantiCare being a Magnet designated facility?
• AtlantiCare Nurses at the 2007 Magnet Conference

AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s Magnet Journey

	ARMC Nurses at the 2007 National Magnet Conference in Atlanta

A small percent of hospitals in the United States have earned the prestigious Magnet designation. Presented by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Magnet designation is widely considered the gold standard for quality in the nursing profession. To be eligible, hospitals must satisfy a demanding set of criteria measuring the nursing team’s performance and strength over an extended period of time.

Magnet designated hospitals are known for consistently delivering exceptional patient care and providing a highly satisfying work environment.

In 2004 we received our initial designation. ARMC was the first southern New Jersey hospital to receive this recognition, 15th in the State and 115th in the nation. In 2008 we will apply for re-designation.

Being a Magnet facility evokes a sense of pride and commitment to excellence. It took the entire AtlantiCare team to successfully achieve Magnet designation and it will take the entire AtlantiCare family to continue our Magnet Journey and take us well into the future.

What are the objectives of the Magnet Recognition Program?

• Promote quality in an environment that supports professional nursing practice.
• Provide a vehicle for the dissemination of best practices.
• Identify excellence in the delivery of nursing care to patients

What are the benefits of AtlantiCare being a Magnet designated facility?

• Improved patient care outcomes.
• Participatory nursing management and organizational leaders who are supportive, knowledgeable and value staff and customers.
• Reinforces positive collaborative relationships within professional models of care.
• Greater community involvement and enhanced recognition in the community of nursing, patient care teams and the organization.
• Enhanced acknowledgement of nursing and care team contributions to positive patient outcomes.
• Provides more opportunities for shared resources, expert consultants, and education.
• Changes to practice are evidenced based and monitored for effectiveness.
• Improved recruitment and retention of nurses, physicians and other healthcare professionals. Creates a competitive advantage.

AtlantiCare Nurses at the 2007 Magnet Conference

During the annual Magnet Conference held in Atlanta October 3-5, ARMC sent thirteen nurses to represent our organization. We had two podium presentations and one poster session.

Grissel Hernandez, RN BSN MPH CHPC and Anne Mac Murray, BSN, CCRN from Clinical Education presented an educational offering entitled, “It Takes a Village to Raise a new Graduate Nurse.”

Susan Fisher Brown, RN and Denise Meyers, RN BSN CEN, from our Mainland campus Emergency Department presented “Critical Incident Stress Management: Staff Nurses creating a culture of caring and empowerment.”

The Night Shift Committee was represented by Cathy Clark, RN and Janet Daly, RN BSN, CCRN who presented their a poster entitled, “Eliminating Communication Barriers on Night Shift.”

Nurses from a variety of nursing practice areas enhanced their knowledge about Magnet and a variety of topics, networked with colleagues from every state and 10 countries, and came back with a greater zeal for nursing. Join us through a photo log.