Magnet Experience Paper

First, I have been a nurse for 18 years. I have worked at three hospitals that were not Magnet when I started and were Magnet when I left.

In my eyes Magnet status was designed as a money making scheme by the American Nursing Association and is used as a marketing tool by health care facilities to attract more patients, (and their money), and to attract nursing so as to stay ahead of the nursing shortage curve.

The short version is that a facility pays money to the ANA to apply for the “Magnet Journey”. During that time the facility is licensed to use certain Magnet logos on their digital and printed material. Magnet also periodically reviews data and sends inspectors to see if the facility is meeting the criteria to be conferred Magnet status. (All on the facility’s dime I might add.) When a facility gets Magnet certified they continue to pay royalties to call themselves Magnet and to use the Magnet designation logos.

Essentially, in my experience, Magnet looks at three main things. They look at degrees. They don’t like diploma and ADN nurses. They like BSN degrees and above. They look at certifications like CEN, CPN as well as things like ACLS, PALs, trauma certification, chemo certifications etc.. They also look at committee

It’s an accreditation process that can take years. During that time a facility has to be on their best behavior. They are the proverbial kid who has to be good for Santa Claus. Once Santa comes and the presents are opened all bets are off. The game is over. They won. They will then do whatever they want. They will freeze wages. They will increase nurse/patient ratios. They will cut ancillary staff. And Magnet won’t do a thing about it because apparently “hey, the check cleared!” (Joke time: Why do hospital administrators smile on the day they achieve Magnet status? Because they know they no longer have to pretend to be nice to their nurses!