Hospitals that refine their culture and policies can capture the coveted magnet status, turning their workplaces into RN havens and drawing more staff their way

In their book, Magnet Hospitals Revisited: Attraction and Retention of Professional Nurses, Margaret McClure, Ed.D., RN, FAAN, and Ada Sue Hinshaw, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, list 14 characteristics that differentiate hospitals that attract and retain nurses from others.

1. Quality of nursing leadership—Knowledgeable, strong nurse leaders are willing to take risks and advocate for their staff.

2. Organizational structure—Nursing departments are decentralized, with unit-based decision-making and strong nurse representation in committees throughout the organization. The nursing leader serves at the executive level of the organization.

3. Management style—Managers involve staff at all levels of the organization. Nurse leaders make an effort to communicate with staff, and staff members feel their opinions are heard and valued by management.

4. Personnel policies and programs—Salaries and benefits are competitive. Creative and flexible staffing, with staff involvement. Many opportunities for promotion, both in clinical and administrative areas.

5. Professional models of care—Nurses have responsibility, accountability and authority in their patient care. They coordinate their own care with support and proper resources from the organization.

6. Quality of care—Nurses believe that they are giving high-quality care to their patients, and that their organization sees high-quality care as a priority.

7. Quality improvement—Staff nurses participate in the quality improvement process and believe that it helps improve patient care within the organization.

8. Consultation and resources—Consultation, including advanced practice nurses and peer support, is available and used.

9. Autonomy—Nurses are allowed and expected to work autonomously, consistent with professional standards as members of a multidisciplinary team.

10.Community and the hospital—Hospitals maintain a strong community presence that includes a variety of long-term outreach programs.

11.Nurses as teachers—Nurses teach in all aspects of their practice.

12.Image of nursing—Nurses are seen as essential to the hospital’s delivery of patient care.

13.Interdisciplinary relationships—Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists and all other members of the health care disciplines treat each other with respect.

14.Professional development—Organizations emphasize orientation, in service education, continuing education, formal education and career development.