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Maryland: Why Nurses should care about Magnet Hospitals

Higher Education Articles October 30, 2013

Maryland: A Brief Overview of Nurses and Hospitals

State Health Facts show that there are 47 Maryland hospitals representing .9% of the total number of hospitals nationwide. In 2011, there were 851 nurses per 100,000 people. The total number of RNs was 49,620 or 1.8% of the US total. Nurse practitioners were 1.9% of the US total or 3,493.

State inpatient expense figures are given for 2010 non-profit hospitals and show $2,348 for a single day. There are no statistics available on this site for state hospital inpatient rates.

In the State of Maryland, nurse practitioners have autonomy to both diagnose and prescribe. This is not the usual case. In the nearby states of Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, physician involvement is required, and nurse practitioners don’t have the autonomy those practicing in Maryland have.

What’s a Magnet Hospital and Why Should Nurses Care?

A hospital designated as Maryland Magnet Hospital meets the highest quality standards. The American Nurses Credentialing Center describes their Magnet Recognition Program as one that recognizes exceptional health care organizations for exceptional patient care, nursing excellence and professional nursing innovation. Successful worldwide nursing practices and strategies often originate from the Magnet program.

Magnet is used by U.S. News & World Report as a primary indicator in assessing nearly 5,000 hospitals, in order to identify and rank the top medical centers in 16 specialty areas. One of the most important goals for the program is the dissemination of best practices in nursing services. Excellence in nursing practices will lead to career excellence for nursing practitioners.

Johns Hopkins Hospital has received the highest award granted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Magnet status indicates the quality and depth of Hopkins Nursing including evidence based practices, collaborations, interdisciplinary studies, and inclusive decision makings.

American Nurses Credentialing Center reports that a nursing management salary survey of 1,400 nurses, illustrated that nurse leaders at Magnet hospitals earned nearly 5% more than nurses at non-Magnet facilities. Magnet hospitals attract top performers.

Characteristics of Magnet Hospitals

Hospitals are judged based on numerous criteria including a self-assessment, nursing leadership, educational eligibility criteria, regulatory compliance, and much more. See ANCC for details.

According to the ANCC, the original 14 characteristics for Magnet ranking include Quality of Nursing Leadership, Autonomy, Organizational Structure, Professional Models of Care, Interdisciplinary Relationships, Nurses as Teachers, Community Health Care and Organization, and Personnel Policies and Programs and Professional Development.

What does the Magnet Hospital Designation Mean to Nurses?

Magnet hospitals provide an opportunity for nurses to work in an optimal nursing environment with the highest quality patient care and nurse satisfaction. Here are some examples of why nurses should pay attention to the Magnet Hospital recognition.

The American Nurse Credentialing Center indicates that a growing body of research has shown that ANCC Magnet Recognition has a positive impact on patient safety and nurse retention.

UCLA’s chief nursing officer, Heidi Crooks, sees Magnet recognition as a top honor and nursing standard of excellence.

UC Davis notes that today’s patients are more aware of medical issues and seek objective criteria that will help them decide how to choose a health care provider. Hospitals with Magnet designation help patients identify hospitals that provide the highest quality care.

Massachusetts General Hospital outlines how Magnet recognition is important to staff. The practice environment is one where professional development and autonomy are emphasized. Interdisciplinary relationships in the work environment are valued as is collaborative decision making.

Porter Adventist Hospital, Denver, CO reminds both staff and potential patients that attaining magnet status is an honor that only the top 5 percent of hospitals have achieved.

Maryland: Magnet Hospitals

Nurse credentialing has identified the following Maryland Magnet Hospitals:

MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
Address: 9000 Franklin Square Drive, Baltimore, 21237
Recognized: 2008

Mercy Medical Center
Address: 345 St Paul Place, Baltimore, 21202
Recognized: 2011

Shore Health System-The Memorial Hospital at Easton
Address: 219 South Washington Street, Easton, 21601
Recognized: 2009

Sinai Hospital of Baltimore
Address: 2401 West Belvedere Ave, Baltimore, 21215
Recognized: 2008

The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Address: 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, 21287-1720
Recognized: 2003
Re-recognized: 2008

University of Maryland Medical Center
Address: 22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, 21201
Recognized: 2009

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