The History of Magnet Nursing

Hospitals with a record of providing the highest quality of nursing care and advancement are awarded with Magnet Recognition status. It is considered the highest honor in nursing and 15 of the top 21 hospitals in the United States are Magnet hospitals, according to the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Origins

• In 1983, the American Academy of Nursing identified 41 hospitals out of 163 with characteristics that attracted and retained the highest quality nurses. They described these characteristics as forces of magnetism.

Program Approval

• In 1990, the ANCC was formed so that the American Nurses Association (ANA) could offer credentialing programs, and the Magnet Hospital Recognition Program for Excellence in Nursing was approved

First Magnet Hospital

• The University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle was the first hospital to be granted Magnet status after the completion of a pilot program in 1994, according to the ANA.

Program Expansion

• The name was changed to Magnet Nursing Services Recognition Program in 1997. In 1998, the program began recognizing long-term care facilities. In 1998, it was expanded to recognize health care facilities in other countries.

Statistics

• Only about 6 percent of all hospitals and other types of health care facilities in the United States have been awarded Magnet Recognition status, according to the ANCC.