Dr. Anita All, RN, PHD and MSN Program Director at AUM is also a Magnet appraiser who travels around the country evaluating hospitals aspiring for the magnet status. She has graciously agreed to join our blog and answer questions and take your comments regarding the magnet status process. Below is her impressive bio so you will become more familiar with her and her credentials in this subject.

Hi everyone just a note to tell you a little about myself. I have been a nurse for a long time and have had over 20 years of clinical experience mostly acute care. I finished an ADN [Indiana University at Indianapolis] degree about the time that ANA started discussing the BSN as entry into practice.
Many years later I completed a ladder program and got my BSN [University of Wyoming]; I was working as a head nurse in a family practice residency program and did some part-time teaching with BSN nursing students from University of Wyoming. I discovered I loved teaching but knew I would need increased education so went in to a MS program that focused on nursing education. I within a semester went into a PhD program. My PhD is outside of nursing and is in Human Services Rehabilitation. It has allowed me to maintain a focus on chronic illness. My dissertation work actually began in my MS program with my research proposal that looked at Anxiety and Fears in Health Care workers in connection with people with HIV/AIDS. There was little in the literature at that time.
My advisor encouraged me to submit the literature review part for publication and glory be it was accepted! My publishing career was started. I took my first teaching position after my PhD at the Medical College of Georgia, left there to take a graduate only teaching position at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. I was there for 10 years progressing from a tenure track Associate Professor to a Tenured Professor during that time frame. I have been blessed with many wonderful students and many of them have become friends and valued colleagues since their graduation. Karen Martin is one of those past students.
Almost a year ago I was approached about my current position and really did not think I was interested in a move. I also saw it as an opportunity and came to interview and decided this position would give me a chance to make a difference in graduate nursing education by being on the ground floor of a new program. So here I moved last September.
Because of my “other life” moving for me is not simple. In my “other life” I am married to a wonderful man who retired just about the time I finished my PhD and he takes care of the home piece. I love, own and competitively show American Quarter Horses. We moved 8 horses [2 of which were pregnant] into boarding here last September and rented a furnished apartment in Montgomery until November when we found a home in Tallassee on acreage that fit our needs. Twenty-three acres with a great home, pond, and salt water pool but no barn or fencing. Needless to say that is what my husband has been doing the past year! We had two beautiful colts [boys] born in the spring out of championship bloodlines. I also have a 9 year old palomino that I have raised and won the Palomino World Amateur Western Pleasure and several National Snaffle Bit Association World Championships. I have two full brothers to this horse and of course a couple of others.
I was given the opportunity in the Fall of 2005 to apply for the first group of nurses from academia to apply to be a MAGNET appraiser. I was selected and attended training in February of 2006. In the past all appraisers had been clinically focused individuals. The addition of nurses from academia was a positive addition to balance the appraisal teams. After the initial face to face training, I was assigned an application. I was called a MAGNET fellow. To progress to being a genuine MAGNET appraiser I needed to score a written document and then follow that same document/application to a site visit. Luckily my first assignment went to a site visit and after the visit I was “promoted”. I have done a total of 9 appraisals with 2 not making it to site visit. I just finished a visit and have my final documentation to write up this weekend. I am looking forward to participating from my perspective of the MAGNET Journey.

Not Your Junkyard Prices!

Crazy Watto, our galaxy bargain hunter, conducted a cost analysis and was shocked at the application and process fees involved in the “Magnet” and "Pathway" journeys. Take Watto's advice and hold on to your hat as you click the links and view the tickets.

http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Magnet/ApplicationProcess/ApplicationFees.aspx
http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Pathway/ApplicationProcess/PathwayFees.aspx

Are you shocked? I must admit I was floored!!! Why do you suppose the fees are so escalated and why would facilities decided to designate much needed funds for this status when there is such a squeeze on health care finances at this time? We would love to hear your thoughts?

Yoda Update: The 5 Model Components

http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Magnet/ProgramOverview/ForcesofMagnetism.aspx

Transformational leadership leads individuals with a combination of organizational vision, influence, knowledge, and strong professional nursing practice to where they want the staff to be for the challenges of the future. The emphasis is not only on fixing problems or broken systems but on creating new ideas and advancement in health care for stabilization resulting in transformation within the organization . There may be turbulence during this phase requiring strong leadership and creative approaches to arising problems.

Two of the 14 Forces of Magnetism are represented in this component of the “Model for ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program.”
Force #1: Quality of Nursing Leadership
"Knowledgeable, strong, risk-taking nurse leaders follow a well-articulated, strategic, and visionary philosophy in the day-to-day operations of the nursing services. Nursing leaders, at all levels of the organization, convey a strong sense of advocacy and support for the staff and for the patient. The results of quality leadership are evident in nursing practice at the patient’s side."
Force #3: Management Style
"Healthcare organization and nursing leaders create an environment supporting participation. Feedback is encouraged and valued and is incorporated from the staff at all levels of the organization. Nurses serving in leadership positions are visible, accessible, and committed to communicating effectively with staff."

Questions:
After reading the previous two forces consider your present employer and evaluate if these forces are active within your organization.

• Can you recall recently where an issue presented at your facility and the leadership within the organization formulated a solution not only taking care of the immediate problem but was visionary in their approach and solution?
• During the problem solving process were the staff ask to participate and contribute ideas toward the solution, were you able to participate, and how?
• Do you feel an open door policy in your facility to speak with your manager or other leaders in the chain of command?

Magnet Program History

In 1983, the American Academy of Nurses (ANA) task force began exploring variables and the forces that facilitated well-qualified nurse retention in 163 hospitals. They found 41 of the hospitals not only attracted quality nurses but also possessed the ability to retain them. In 1990, these forces were named the “Forces of Magnetism” and by recommendation of the ANA, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (AACN) was organized as a non-profit organization to establish and offer credentialing programs and services. In 1994, a pilot program involving five hospitals was conducted by the AANC using the forces identified in the 1983 study. The first hospital to receive Magnet status was the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. There presently are only 5.5% of the hospitals in the United States having magnet status. This seems like such a small percentage when consideration is given to the number of hospitals in this country.
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND FEEDBACK.
Why do you suppose the numbers are so low? You would think that if hospitals could achieve the Joint Commission Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval there would be minimal effort needed to accomplish the hospital Nobel Prize. On the other hand, are the 14 Forces of Magnetism journey too laboring for hospitals and their staff and not worth the effort? What are your thoughts on this issue?

Welcome Jedi Bloggers!

as we journey to a higher level in nursing research and changes, challenges in professional growth, and greater quality outcome in patient care. This blog site was established for your learning and expression experience regarding the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program. As professional nurses, we all aspire to identify and disseminate “best practices” in nursing to all in our direct care, community, and to other nursing colleagues.