What are Magnet Hospitals? (And Why It Matters for Nurses)

Nurses may hope to work at a hospital with a Magnet designation, but do you know why it’s important? In the healthcare world, “Magnet” status is a worldwide designation hospitals may earn from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) by practicing the highest standards of care, professional development, and work culture. Hospitals with Magnet status signify excellence in nursing across several metrics, which makes these institutions desirable places of employment.

Explore why Magnet status matters to nurses, the requirements for this designation, and the top 10 states and cities by the number of Magnet hospitals.

Magnet hospitals undergo a challenging review and approval process to demonstrate their excellence in nursing care. Nursing leaders drive nursing care at Magnet hospitals. They find strategies for improving patient care and supporting nurse professional development.

The Magnet Recognition Program began in 1983 when the American Academy of Nursing identified 41 institutions that attracted and retained nurses better than others. In 1990, the ANCC was incorporated as a subsidiary nonprofit of the American Nurses Association, and in December of that year, the proposal for the Magnet Hospital Recognition Program for Excellence in Nursing Services was approved.

Since the program was established, Magnet status has done more than garner external prestige for the hospital. To achieve the designation, a Magnet hospital must foster an ideal environment for nursing talent.

Magnet hospitals enjoy lower staff turnover, a better patient experience, and a greater ability to attract and retain the best nursing talent. They promote a culture that invests in nursing education and professional development, which supports nurses in their careers and nurtures interprofessional collaborative practice.

The ANCC continues to administer the Magnet Recognition Program, which recognizes healthcare organizations that demonstrate excellence in nursing practices and patient care. Achieving Magnet status involves meeting rigorous standards for quality care, nursing excellence, and innovations in professional nursing practice, all set by the ANCC.

In 2022, the national Magnet conference leaders introduced Magnet with Distinction for organizations displaying an elite level of performance. Thus far, there have been just four hospitals in the United States to achieve Magnet with Distinction recognition. These hospitals include:

The application process to be recognized as a Magnet hospital is lengthy, collecting information that enables the ANCC to appraise how closely the organization meets the requirements. The process can take up to one year to complete. Documentation must include:

A Magnet hospital designation is the highest credential a medical facility can receive, so the process is rigorous. A Magnet hospital model provides a framework for hospitals to achieve excellence in nursing. The five components of the Magnet model are:

A Magnet hospital empowers nurses to lead healthcare change and fosters an environment where nursing talent flourishes.

A Magnet hospital is a culture of collaboration, safety, and success, all driven by professional development opportunities that lead to greater job satisfaction. Patients receive care from nurses with access to many professional benefits, including the opportunity to play an integral role in creating positive patient experiences and outcomes.

These benefits are evident in just some of the metrics the ANCC tracks. For example, according to Recycle Intelligence, the average nursing turnover rate hovers near 22%, while a Magnet hospital’s turnover rate hovers between 12% and 13%. A 2020 study indicated that patients treated at Magnet hospitals were significantly more satisfied than those treated at non-Magnet hospitals.

Nurses who are recognized as essential to a hospital have an increased sense of job satisfaction while avoiding burnout. According to a Journal of Nursing Administration study, nurses working in Magnet hospitals were 18% less likely to be dissatisfied with their jobs and 13% less likely to report high levels of burnout compared to those working in non-Magnet hospitals.

Magnet hospitals create a collaborative environment by engaging all staff in decision-making. Each department is equally valued, works together to improve healthcare services, and energizes staff to commit to the hospital’s mission.

One of the criteria for achieving Magnet status is having nurses in leadership positions. This gives the nursing staff the ability to influence the administration of hospital policy and future program development. This results in greater opportunities for professional advancement and ensures a vested interest in a well-trained nursing workforce held to a high standard of care.

The issues surrounding a safe environment for nurses within a healthcare facility are complex. However, according to Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidenced-Based Handbook for Nurses, patients and nurses report greater safety within Magnet hospitals. The ANCC requirements for Magnet status may empower nurses to report unsafe conditions and work with leadership dedicated to continuous quality improvement.

According to the American Public Health Association’s Medical Care study, the mortality rates in Magnet hospitals are significantly lower than in non-Magnet hospitals. While this is an obvious benefit for patients, working in a Magnet hospital provides nurses with the necessary tools to be more effective in providing the best care.

The following table identifies the top 10 states with the most Magnet hospitals. Seven of those states — California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio — also rank in the top 10 with population.

This chart identifies the top 10 metropolitan areas with the most Magnet hospitals. Five of these cities are on the East Coast, and two are in Texas. Six cities also ranked in the top 15 most populated cities in the U.S.

Hospitals must complete an arduous vetting process, demonstrating significant benefits to the hospital, staff, and patients. The program was established in 1990, and since then, Magnet hospitals have enjoyed a lower nurse turnover rate, greater nurse job satisfaction, transformative nursing leadership, and the opportunity for advanced professional development.

We encourage you to learn more about the benefits of working at a Magnet hospital or becoming part of a team of nurses who spearhead change in their facility to join the elite rank of hospitals with Magnet status.