Kaiser Santa Rosa Nurses Journey Towards Magnet Nursing Excellence

While already providing an excellent level of care, Kaiser Santa Rosa nurses are working towards a most prestigious and internationally recognized nursing honor: ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®.

Kaiser Santa Rosa Nursing Mission:

Nurses as Leaders and Teachers demonstrating strong patient advocacy, patient safety, effective communication, and a high quality of care

What is Magnet Status?

The Magnet Recognition Program® is a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association and it was set up to recognize high quality nursing provided by health care organizations such as Kaiser.

Magnet status has its roots in the 80s when short and long term nursing shortages began to be felt (more than 126,000 nursing positions are unfilled today and the number is still increasing). The American Academy of Nursing conducted research in US hospitals and found certain variables or 'forces of magnetism' which resulted in attracting and retaining well-qualified nurses. The hospitals with the most forces became known as Magnet hospitals.

Read through Kaiser Santa Rosa's 14 Forces of Magnetism

How is Magnet Status Earned?

Kaiser Santa Rosa has applied to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is currently undergoing a vigorous and in-depth evaluation that isn't due to end until 2007.

What are the Benefits of Kaiser Santa Rosa Becoming a Magnet Hospital?

Magnet hospitals are able to provide higher benefits for patients, patients' families and the community at large.

Magnet facilities:

Consistently outperform non-magnet organizations
Deliver better patient outcomes
Experience increased time spent at the bedside of patients
Have shorter lengths of patient stay
Have lower patient mortality rates
Have lower incidence of needlestick injuries
Enjoy increased nurse retention and recruitment rates
Report lower rates of nurse burnout and higher rates of job satisfaction
Report higher patient satisfaction rates

(Source: ANCC)

Magnet nurses are able to spend more time with patients than with paperwork providing support, compassion and an expert level of care. Because Magnet nurses are empowered to do what they know is right, patient care becomes the highest priority leading to shorter length hospital stays and decreased mortality rates.

Magnet organizations attract and retain outstanding nurses. In turn, high-quality nurses help hospitals attract top-notch physicians.

A Positive Health Care Environment

A hospital is no longer a place you visit when you are ill, rather it is a place that can help to keep you healthy! Magnet hospitals have helped to make this change possible by using patient focused ideas and raising the standard of patient care. Nurses and staff work closely creating an innovative and thriving environment resulting in a high employee morale and high patient satisfaction.

Nursing Units