As more and more ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®-designated hospitals sprout up throughout the nation, many facilities are asking themselves whether they should join the journey. For many, the decision may seem like a no-brainer, as proponents of the program tout better patient outcomes, higher percentages of certified and bachelor’s degree-prepared nurses, and reduced turnover as just a few of the benefits of designation. But while designation can play a huge role in creating a better work environment, the process doesn’t just happen overnight.

Are you thinking about joining a designated facility? Maybe you’re already working somewhere that has been celebrated for its nursing excellence. (To date, there are 223 facilities in 43 states.) But what exactly does it take for an organization to start a journey toward designation? Here’s a little peak . . .

Once an organization has identified reasons for pursuing designation, it has to review what resources are necessary:

1. Budget considerations. Facilities need resources available to support all phases of the journey. Short-term costs may include the application fee ($2,500), while long-term costs may include consultation fees (approximately $26,000 for two years). On average, some experts say, fixed costs related to ANCC Magnet Recognition® for a 400-499-bed hospital can total $50,950 (including application fee and site visit costs), while optional costs (organizational events, conference attendance, committee involvement) can total more than $400,000. That can potentially bring a facility’s total budget cost to at least $450,000.
2. Institutional commitment to designation. In order for the process to take flight, a facility needs to ensure that the higher-ups are in support–both financially and mentally. Many organizations put together a presentation that spells out the benefits of designation and the cultural transformation that will result.

With resources and commitment in place, facilities then move to the “gap analysis” phase, which, in essence, is a way to examine the gaps that lie between the current infrastructure and what is typically necessary for a designated facility. Typical problem areas include shared governance (a decision-making system that empowers staff nurses), evidence-based practice (using research and evidence to improve patient care), and the image of nursing (making nurses more visible in the organization).

So, is it all worth it? Facilities often ponder the question. Current designees had the same query, and they now say “yes,” citing several reasons:

• The practice environment at a designated hospital becomes more supportive of nursing and professionalism
• Staff education receives greater emphasis
• The culture at designated hospitals encourages lower turnover, higher retention, and improved recruitment
• Attaining ANCC Magnet Recognition® encourages better nurse-patient and nurse-physician relations

MAGNET(TM), MAGNET RECOGNITION PROGRAM®, and ANCC MAGNET RECOGNITION® are trademarks of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The products and services of HCPro, Inc. and The Greeley Company are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the ANCC.