The Johns Hopkins Hospital's department of nursing has earned the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) highest honour, the so-called "Magnet" status, recognizing national excellence in nursing. The designation is awarded to select hospitals following an intensive review of documentation, data, and clinical practices, followed by lengthy on-site visits. Fewer than 100 hospitals in the US have magnet status, and the Johns Hopkins Hospital is the first hospital in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Delaware to achieve it.

"This is a remarkable achievement for Johns Hopkins Nursing," said Karen Haller, PhD, vice president of nursing and patient care services for the Johns Hopkins Hospital. "With such a broad array of services and centers, each with very specific nursing needs, this designation reinforces that a Hopkins nurse, no matter where they are, is dedicated to the same superior, high quality, caring mission."

The ANCC says that Magnet designation "recognizes the quality of nursing programs and demonstrates its importance, and the importance of nurses, to the success of the organization. It goes on to say that Magnet designation, while recognizing nursing care and quality specifically, also speaks to the hospital's overall quality and to a culture of empowerment, pride, respect, teamwork, and integrity. Since the Magnet program was started in 1993, only 90 health care centers have received the honor. Hopkins is the only hospital to win the award in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Delaware.

"The Johns Hopkins Hospital has long been recognized as a leader in healthcare, much to the credit of the quality care delivered by our nurses," said Ronald R Peterson, president of The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System. "Our patients frequently tell us how the nurses make a difference in their experience here, and our physicians also point to the nurses as a major factor in our ability to deliver excellent care."

According to the ANCC, Magnet designated hospitals typically have high nurse satisfaction, higher rates of staff retention, and lower nurse vacancy rates, even when hospitals in close proximity are experiencing shortages.

In Minnesota, Magnet designation is used as a criterion for addressing statewide nursing shortages. Some health care insurers and managed care organizations in New Jersey, specifically look for Magnet designation when setting up new contracts for providing hospital services for their patients.

"To our community, Magnet designation reinforces that Johns Hopkins facilities are the best places to receive care," said Peterson. "To our nurses, our physicians, and our staff in general, seeking and achieving Magnet designation indicates that taking care of our 'family' is as important to us as providing first-class care to our patients. And to those who may come to Johns Hopkins in the future, either for care or to join our workforce, the designation reinforces our commitment to continued growth and improvement."