Saint Peter’s University Hospital has been redesignated as a Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center of the American Nurses Association for 2020-2024, the highest honor for nursing service excellence that any hospital can receive.
Saint Peter’s was the 10th hospital in the nation to receive the Magnet designation when it first did in 1998. This most recent designation was awarded after a three-day virtual survey completed in mid-September. Saint Peter’s was one of only five hospitals worldwide to receive this designation for six consecutive terms.
Saint Peter’s Healthcare System CEO Les Hirsch said the honors confirms what so many already know.
“The nurses at Saint Peter’s are among the best in the nation,” he said. “To be recognized with this prestigious honor that only five hospitals worldwide can claim is truly an honor for our nurses and our nursing leadership.
“Our redesignation confirms the clinical excellence that is integral to patient care at Saint Peter’s. It is especially meaningful in these challenging times. The Magnet survey appraisers noted several key areas where the value of our nursing teamwork was exemplary.”
The Magnet Recognition Program designates organizations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization’s patient outcomes. Magnet status is awarded to hospitals that deliver an extraordinary level of patient care, meet high levels of nursing excellence, establish an environment that encourages the pursuit of professional development and an emphasis on teamwork.
Magnet-recognized organizations are expected to uphold five key principles that support global issues in nursing and health care. These include:
- Transformational leadership;
- Structural empowerment;
- Exemplary professional practice;
- New knowledge, innovation and improvements;
- Empirical quality results.
These principles go beyond structure with a dedicated commitment to impacting results.
Chief Nursing Officer Linda Carroll said compassionate care complemented by the highest skill level is what truly sets Saint Peter’s apart from other hospitals.
“While the COVID-19 crisis put us all to the test, I’m proud to say that our nursing team has always been comprised of outstanding individuals that deliver extraordinary care based on an interdisciplinary approach to quality and patient safety,” she said. “Our philosophy of care is based on the five C’s of nursing — calling, caring, culture, commitment and collaboration, and each of these is reflected in the level of care provided at Saint Peter’s each day.”
The designation of Magnet is based on an extensive review and evaluation process that looks at nursing services throughout the organization. The evaluation typically involves a three-day on-site review process, but, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the evaluations were conducted remotely this year. Hospitals must be reevaluated every four years to maintain their Magnet designation.
Independent research has shown that Magnet hospitals consistently provide the highest quality patient care and outperform their peers in recruiting and retaining quality nurses, which, in turn, has been directly connected to attracting high-quality physicians.
