The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) will bring a team of four appraisers to Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) from April 24 to 28 as part of the Magnet Third Designation process, Marilyn Dubree, MSN, R.N., Executive Chief Nursing Officer, announced Tuesday.
Dubree made the announcement during a meeting of the Medical Center Nursing Board at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt that included nurses from throughout VUMC.
“I don’t know of any group of people I would rather have accompany me to showcase the best nursing care, nursing practice and environment for patient care in this region,” Dubree said. “You do that every day and you are now going to have the opportunity to share your stories.”
The site visit has been designed by the ANCC to determine the Medical Center’s culture by listening to as many nursing and Medical Center staff members as possible. Appraisers are coordinating with nursing leaders to develop a schedule to visit every unit, clinic and department during the five-day visit. All nurses will have multiple opportunities to talk to appraisers, both in their areas and in other settings.
The ANCC’s Magnet designation is the most prestigious honor an organization can receive for the provision of nursing care and inter-professional collaboration. Only about 6 to 7 percent of hospitals have the distinction, and VUMC has received it twice — in 2006 and 2012.
Hosting the site visit is the culmination of years of work by nursing staff in the journey toward a third designation. In April 2016, VUMC submitted its electronic Magnet document, consisting of examples from across the organization in response to 72 questions. Additionally, it provided demographic information including data on quality and patient and staff satisfaction. The document would have been 275 pages if printed.
In October, VUMC submitted supplemental information at the request of the ANCC. Having satisfied those questions, VUMC was determined to be ready for a visit. The appraisers are expected to announce the outcome of VUMC’s third Magnet designation before the end of the year.
“This is a very exciting announcement,” said Sabrina Downs, MSN, MBA, R.N., director of Professional Practice and Magnet. “We will be ready when they come in April.”
For the latest information on the Magnet Third Designation process, go here.