UVa Medical Center Achieves Acclaimed Magnet Designation
Joining the ranks of the top 3% of U.S. hospitals to earn honor.
By Megan Rowe

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) announced Aug. 18 that the University of Virginia Medical Center has received the acclaimed Magnet Recognition for nursing excellence. Magnet designation came after UVa submitted 1,900 pages of documentation demonstrating achievements in patient care, nurse satisfaction, quality improvement and nursing research. This was followed by a four-day on-site inspection by Magnet Appraisers that included visits to all patient care areas and interviews with hundreds of nurses.

A few of UVa Health Systems' Magnet Champions: • Row 1: Jill Sellers, RN, Vickie Buffmire, RN, Kathleen Rea, RN, Ann Peery-Davis, RN; • Row 2: Sharon VanSickle, RN, Clara Winfield, RN, Sharon Bragg, RN, Debbie French, RN, Sara Powell-Aldridge, RN, Pam Cipriano, RN, UVa Chief Nursing Officer and UVa Chief Clinical Officer; • Row 3: Holly Glassberg, RN, Pam Dennison, RN, Nicole Henley, RN, Dawn Shaver, RN, Judy Brownrigg, RN, Katie Snyder, RN.

Only 3 percent of U.S. hospitals have achieved this recognition. Magnet designation signifies that an institution's nurses have high levels of education, adhere to the highest professional standards and provide the best patient care. According to the ANCC, "Magnet recognition provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark to measure the quality of care they can expect to receive."

"Magnet designation serves as external recognition for our nurses and the exceptional care they provide to our patients and their families," said R. Edward Howell, vice-president and chief executive officer of the UVa Medical Center. "We are proud to receive this external recognition that reflects the value and appreciation the staff and physicians hold for our nursing staff."

"Being recognized as a Magnet institution signifies not only excellence in nursing care and professionalism, but it also acknowledges the collaboration throughout the organization to support quality of care, shared governance, and the promotion of nurses as leaders," said UVa Medical Center Chief Clinical Of-ficer and Chief Nursing Officer Pamela F. Cipriano PhD, RN, FAAN.

Independent studies of Magnet hospitals show that patients have shorter lengths of stay, higher satisfaction, higher nurse-to-patient ratios and lower mortality rates. Nurses are more satisfied with their work and Magnet recognition strengthens nursing recruitment and retention efforts.

"Magnet Recognition is an honor that distinguishes the Registered Nurses of UVa Medical Center. The intelligent, compassionate care provided by my colleagues is world class. This recognition formally and publicly celebrates that fact." said magnet team co-chair Kathleen Rea, MSN, RN, APRN-BC.

The Magnet Recognition Program was developed by the ANCC in 1994 to recognize health care facilities that provide the very best in professional nursing care. The 14 "Forces of Magnetism" that distinguish Magnet organizations include an environment that promotes excellence in interdisciplinary teamwork, research, education and patient care. UVa demonstrated excellence in all 14 Forces to earn this important award.

The ANCC is a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association and is the largest and most prominent nursing credentialing organization in the US.