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Utah: Why Nurses Should Care about Magnet Hospitals

Higher Education Articles October 20, 2013

Utah: A Brief Overview of Nurses and Hospitals

There are 44 hospitals in Utah, and none of them are currently Magnet hospitals. With over 19,000 registered nurses and nearly 1,500 nurse practitioners, Utah has fewer people in both professions than the national average. Utah does not require physician involvement for a nurse practitioner in diagnosing, treating or prescribing.

Utah health care spending is slightly over $5,000 per capita, just below the national average of $6,815. Utah’s population enjoys a high percentage of employer sponsored health care coverage, yet the annual inpatient hospital days per 1,000 people is lower than average at 353 compared to the national rate of over 600 days per 1,000.

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

The American Nurses Credential Center introduced its Magnet program to assist hospitals in attracting and retaining top quality nurses as well as to advance the standards of care for patients. The hallmarks of the Magnet program hospitals includes a collaborative environment where nurse contributions are valued and where nurses work together to innovate and train each other in new methods of patient care.

Employment at a Magnet hospital is a sign that a nurse is among the elite of the profession, since Magnet hospitals often have the pick of available nurses because of the superior working conditions and respect for nurses that they offer. In fact, 7 of the 11 health care organizations in the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For are Magnet-recognized facilities or have Magnet facilities in their system.

Characteristics of Magnet Hospitals

The ANCC describes the Magnet process as a journey, rather than a destination. The Journey to Magnet is never done because magnet hospitals continually strive to improve the quality of patient care and patient outcomes, as well as respect for the nursing profession.

In addition, Magnet hospitals:

•Offer competitive salaries and benefits along with creative staffing models

•Offer nurse autonomy with individual responsibility to develop patient care standards care

•Respect the contributions that nurses make alongside other medical practitioners

•Have organizational structures that provide easy accessibility to management for all nurses

•Opportunities for nurses to work together as teachers and leaders

•Have excellent community health and wellness programs that draw patients to the hospital for learning opportunities and that improve the overall health of the community

•Have strong professional development and continuing education and advancement opportunities to nurses

What does the Magnet Hospital Designation Mean to Nurses

Because of their high regard for the nursing profession, nurses know that Magnet hospitals are among the best employers in the community. They enjoy working in an organization that respects their contribution and that strives to ensure that each individual has the opportunity to learn and grow.

Find out why nurses from Magnet hospital Mass General in Boston heap praises like these on Magnet hospitals.

“Gives caregivers a sense of pride.” Jill Woods, RN (Vincent OB/GYN, MGH West)

“Improves evidence-based practice.” Barbara Cashavelly, RN (Cancer Center)

Utah: Magnet Hospitals

There are no Utah Magnet hospitals currently certified.

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