Fewer than 10% of hospitals earn the honor, reflecting commitment to nursing excellence
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – UNC Hospitals has attained Magnet designation for a fourth time, an honor earned by fewer than 10 percent of hospitals nationwide.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes health care organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. This credential is the highest national honor for professional nursing practice.
Receiving Magnet recognition for the fourth time is a great achievement for UNC Hospitals, as it continues to proudly belong to the global Magnet community – a small, select group of hospitals around the world.
“Magnet redesignation is the culmination of hard work, expertise in action and empathetic care across our hospital campuses and clinics,” said Janet Hadar, President of UNC Hospitals. “It demonstrates our organizational commitment to nursing excellence, interprofessional collaboration, and the highest quality outcomes for the patients whom we serve.”
Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities, such as:
- Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information.
- Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates.
- Higher job satisfaction among nurses.
- Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions.
Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is a factor when the public judges health care organizations. To achieve initial Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. This process includes an electronic application, written patient care documentation, an on-site visit, and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition.
Health care organizations must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet concepts and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality.
“We’re a better organization today because of the Magnet recognition we first achieved 15 years ago,” said Jacci Jacobs, Chief Nursing Officer for UNC Hospitals. “Magnet recognition raised the bar for patient care and inspired every member of our team to achieve excellence every day. It is this commitment to providing our community with high-quality care that helped us become a Magnet-recognized organization, and it’s why we continue to pursue and maintain Magnet recognition.”
About UNC Health
UNC Health is a state entity and an affiliated enterprise of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of 20 hospitals and more than 900 clinics along with the clinical patient care programs of the UNC School of Medicine. It exists to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve and to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina SOM. UNC Health provided more than $800 million in Uncompensated Charity Care during the past five years. Our hospitals have received numerous awards and recognition for quality care, patient safety, and the overall patient experience.