The Magnet Model: How You Can Use It to Better Your Nursing Leadership and Shared Decision-Making

The Magnet Recognition award was developed in the 1980s by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to highlight standout healthcare organizations that strive for nursing excellence. The Magnet Model recognizes nursing achievements, quality patient care, and innovative thinking within the practice of nursing care.

Magnet Hospital Practices

There are many benefits to the Magnet Model when used within hospital practices — not only for nursing staff but also for patients. All Magnet hospitals earn this award when they become certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). When a hospital demonstrates that its patients receive high-quality care, it is due to superior nursing leadership, patient outcomes, coordination, collaboration across specialties, and implementation processes that measure and improve the delivery of care.

More than 570 Magnet hospitals worldwide are publicly recognized for their consistent efforts in providing quality care to patients. The hospitals that achieve this recognition must meet the foundational elements of the Magnet model, which include structural empowerment, exemplary practice, transformational leadership, innovation, and improvements. These foundational elements promote collaboration and teamwork, continual improvement, and a culture that awards nursing excellence.

Shared Decision-Making in Nurse Leadership

When hospital nursing leaders implement the Magnet model into their everyday tasks and culture, it creates an environment of shared decision-making. Nursing teams are encouraged to meet daily with support from their Chief Nursing Officer rounding on units. Due to open communication and more face-to-face time with leadership, nurses can learn about and develop skill sets to improve patient outcomes in all units. Nurses at Magnet hospitals are offered continued advancement in their education and skills, which leads to better work conditions and culture. Overall, this method benefits the patients at each Magnet hospital and results in less nursing turnover and a safer environment.

Advancement Programs Within the Magnet Model

To recruit and retain the best medical professionals in the nursing field especially, hospital leaders must encourage and foster the growth in advancement programs within the Magnet model. Incorporating this model into the hospital system mobilizes leaders and enables different leadership styles to thrive. In addition, nursing leaders are encouraged to inspire their nursing staff within the Magnet model to recognize their true potential in the healthcare field of nursing.

A Magnet model supports highly educated nursing staff and leaders with advanced training to stay updated with the latest healthcare initiatives. When the nursing staff is supported in increasing their education, it, in turn, creates an advancement program and promotions. As a result, the Magnet model hospitals are equipped to develop and transform leaders from entry-level nurses to senior-level managers and future Chief Nursing Officers.

Overall, the Magnet model has shown that, when implemented in the hospital setting, it can improve not only the nursing leadership team, employee retention, and decision-making but also the quality of patient outcomes — which is a win-win for everyone.

We’ll be at the 2022 ANCC National Magnet Conference® October 13-15 at the Philadelphia Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA. Stop by booth 2018. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Renee Hewitt

Editor & Content Strategist at Springer Publishing

Renee is the editor and content strategist for Daily Nurse. When enjoying life unplugged from the digital world, you'll find Renee on a trail taking wildlife photos or birdwatching.