Feb. 13, 2009

CONTACT:
Communications Department
(320) 251-2700, ext. 74980

Magnet honors St. Cloud Hospital for excellence in nursing

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – St. Cloud Hospital has received re-designation as a Magnet hospital, the second Minnesota hospital and one of only 2 percent of hospitals nationwide, to achieve this award. The Magnet award is given by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and is the highest national and international recognition of excellence in the delivery of nursing services.

St. Cloud Hospital received its initial Magnet designation in 2004. At that time there were just 100 Magnet hospitals in the country, and one in the state of Minnesota. Now there are 316 Magnet hospitals in 43 states and the District of Columbia. There are currently six Magnet hospitals in Minnesota: St. Cloud Hospital, the Mayo College of Medicine, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Medical Center – Fairview, Fairview Ridges Hospital, and Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare.

The Magnet application process takes about two years and includes submission of a 3,000+ page document describing why the hospital deserves the recognition. Magnet program appraisers made a site visit in December to view the facility and speak to staff. There is no monetary award with this recognition, but it provides an advantage for recruitment of all types of staff.

Magnet hospitals offer benefits for their patients, staff and communities.

The Magnet program promotes high standards based on the 14 Forces of Magnetism. These forces include:

Quality of nursing leadership (strong, visionary leaders)
Organizational structure (decentralized with care decisions made at the unit level)
Management style (staff members are involved at all levels)
Personnel policies and programs (competitive salaries and benefits)
Professional models of care (number and type of staff needed to care for patients)
Quality of care (always striving for better patient outcomes)
Quality improvement (always learning and a non-punitive environment)
Consultation and resources (staff have access to experts and evidence)
Autonomy (staff practice at the highest level allowed by their education and licensure)
Community and the hospital (staff members make a positive impact on the community)
Nurses as teachers (teaching is an important nursing role)
Image of nursing (viewed as integral to the hospital mission)
Collegial interdisciplinary relationships (team members work together for the patients)
Professional development (personal growth and development are valued and are a part of
mission).

Amy White, RN, CCRN says, “I know that what we do here makes a difference to our patients. We are a team. And because of that, we are Magnet. Our patients and families know that when they come to our Magnet hospital, they are in good hands”.

“I have never worked at a place with better nurses or nursing care” said Richard Jolkovsky, MD., hospital chief of staff. “It is a pleasure to work with these skilled professionals and know that our patients get superior care”.

“We are very proud of our nursing staff and our patient care team” said Linda Chmielewski, MS, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer and vice president of hospital operations. “The Magnet award recognizes our commitment to patient care and to achieving the best possible patient outcomes”.

Learn more about the Magnet Hospital Designation

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