Vanderbilt University Medical Center has completed its four required Magnet documents and submitted them to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a major milestone in its fourth Magnet designation process.
The ANCC’s Magnet designation is the highest honor an organization can receive for the provision of nursing care and interprofessional collaboration. Only about 6 to 7% of hospitals have the distinction, and no other hospital system in Middle Tennessee has achieved Magnet designation.
“I am proud that Vanderbilt University Medical Center has been a Magnet-designated organization for nearly 15 years,” said Marilyn Dubree, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Executive Chief Nursing Officer. “We expect achieving our fourth designation will simply confirm what we all know to be true — that the pillars of Magnet are the same pillars of Vanderbilt.
“We welcome the opportunity to show our continued advances in patient care, evidence-based practice and transformational leadership. Obtaining our fourth Magnet designation will only solidify our desire to continue to be among the leading health care organizations in the country.”
Hospitals typically earn Magnet Recognition for a four-year period, and the ANCC conducts annual reviews requesting updated documentation. VUMC received its first Magnet designation in November 2006, its second in April 2012 and third in July 2017.
This current Magnet journey is the first in which VUMC submitted four Magnet documents, one for each nursing entity — Vanderbilt University Adult Hospital, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt Adult Ambulatory Clinics and Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital. Previously, one document was submitted.
The ANCC will review the documents to ensure they meet criteria. If so, the Medical Center would receive a site visit from appraisers within a year.
The web-based submitted documents consist of examples from across the entities in response to questions, as well as demographic information including quality data and patient and staff satisfaction.
Sabrina Downs, MSN, MBA, RN, NE-BC, director of Professional Practice and Magnet, recognized the milestone of submitting four Magnet documents.
“It is an honor to coordinate the representation of our great work and achievements throughout our four nursing entities,” she said. “This process has reminded me yet again of the professionalism, compassion and dedication of our nurses, leading to improved patient outcomes. They make a difference in the community and even globally. Magnet organizations are recognized by health care accrediting organizations for their impact on patient safety and quality care.
“I believe Magnet recognition is the gold standard of nursing care, and our nurses prove that every day.”
