Christiana Care earns Magnet redesignation

Christiana Care earns Magnet redesignation

Christiana Care Health System has earned redesignation as a Magnet organization for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the pre-eminent recognition for hospital systems in the United States. Only 7 percent of the nation’s hospitals hold the prestigious Magnet designation. Christiana Care was first in Delaware to achieve Magnet status in 2010, and is now first in the state to attain re-designation, demonstrating sustained excellence in nursing practice and adherence to national standards.

Nurses at Wilmington Hospital react to the news that Christiana Care received Magnet re-designation.
Nurses at Wilmington Hospital react to the news that Christiana Care received Magnet re-designation.

It is obvious that Christiana Care nurses are highly motivated, clearly able to articulate their role in quality improvement, and deliver the highest level of care and compassion to patients and their families.

“It is my highest honor and privilege to notify you that, based on review of all of your submitted documentation and findings from your recent site visit, the Commission on Magnet has unanimously voted to credential Christiana Care Health System in Wilmington, Del., as a Magnet organization,” said Brian Selig, MHA, BSN, RN, CEN, NEA-BC, of the Magnet Commission Executive Committee via simulcast phone call. And with those words, cheers erupted among hundreds of clinical and professional staff and leadership who heard the call live in conference rooms at Christiana and Wilmington hospitals and on patient units through a video simulcast.

Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH
Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH

“The achievement of Magnet redesignation is yet another indicator to the neighbors who daily put their trust in Christiana Care that Delaware’s leading health system is recognized nationally among the best for clinical excellence and adherence to national standards,” said Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, president and chief executive officer of Christiana Care. “Our talented, dedicated and highly accomplished nursing team is truly deserving of this designation, which recognizes the excellent work they do every day as they partner with physicians and staff — and with our patients and their families — to provide respectful, innovative and expert care in The Christiana Care Way.”

Research shows clear benefits to communities served by Magnet hospitals, including improved quality and safety of patient care, greater patient and family satisfaction, and the recruitment and retention of top nursing talent. Magnet recognition is maintained for four years. During that period, the ANCC monitors facilities to ensure that high standards of care are sustained.

Nurses, leaders and staff pack the John H. Ammon Medical Education Center auditorium to await the phone call with the results of Christiana Care's Magnet re-designation journey.
Nurses, leaders and staff pack the John H. Ammon Medical Education Center auditorium to await the phone call with the results of Christiana Care’s Magnet redesignation journey.
Diane P. Talarek, RN, MA, NE-BC
Diane P. Talarek, RN, MA, NE-BC

“Magnet re-designation is a true team accomplishment for Christiana Care and a national recognition of the partnerships among nurses, physicians and the entire health care team on behalf of the neighbors we serve,” said Diane Talarek, MA, BSN, RN, NE-BC, senior vice president, Patient Care Services, and chief nursing officer. “This honor validates the tremendous professionalism demonstrated daily by Christiana Care’s nurses and provides independent evidence that we continue to raise the bar in nursing excellence for our community.”

Achieving and maintaining Magnet designation is a rigorous process. Applicants undergo an evaluation that includes extensive documentation and a multi-day site visit by Magnet nurse appraisers to review nursing services. Redesignation requires a unanimous vote by the appraisers.

Nurses at Wilmington Hospital give the thumbs-up sign after hearing the good news.
Nurses at Wilmington Hospital give the thumbs-up sign after hearing the good news.
Janet Cunningham, MHA, RN, NE-BC, CENP, Vice President of Professional Excellence and Associate Chief Nursing Officer
Janet Cunningham, MHA, BSN, RN, NE-BC, CENP

“Magnet is an ongoing journey of excellence,” said Janet Cunningham, MHA, BSN, RN, NE-BC, CENP, vice president for Professional Excellence, associate chief nursing officer and Magnet Program director for Christiana Care’s redesignation process. “Much more than an award on a shelf, Magnet is something our more than 2,500 professional nurses and nursing leaders demonstrate every day through their commitment to providing safe, quality care, as well as to advancing the profession through continuing education, preparing the next generation of novice nurses and serving in leadership roles in both professional and community organizations. It is also a tremendous example of nurses partnering with physicians and staff from every service line throughout our health system to deliver value-driven care.”

During the call, Selig cited several exemplars noted by ANCC in Christiana Care’s Magnet appraisal. They included “exemplary data” regarding nurse satisfaction and engagement; an impressive number of nurses enrolled in BSN, MSN and doctorate programs; and a robust shared governance structure giving clinical nurses a very strong voice in how care is managed.

“It is obvious to us that Christiana Care nurses are highly motivated, clearly able to articulate their role in quality improvement, and deliver the highest level of care and compassion to patients and their families,” he said.

Nurses at Wilmington Hospital are all smiles after hearing that their hard work toward Magnet re-designation has paid off.
Nurses at Wilmington Hospital are all smiles after hearing that their hard work toward Magnet re-designation has paid off.

“I cannot wait to go back to my floor and share this news with my team,” said Samantha Ann K. Davis, MSN, RN-BC, nurse manager for Ortho-Neuro Trauma, who was part of the audience in the John H. Ammon Medical Education Center. “This is about them, and I want to let them understand that every thing they do every day impacts why we are Magnet.”

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