Monday, April 25, 2011
-
VCU Health System earns second Magnet designation for nursing
The VCU Health System has been re-designated
by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet hospital, the most
prestigious honor and level of recognition awarded for nursing excellence in
national and international health care.
The health system first earned the designation in 2006.
“The magnet journey and the celebration that we saw during
the recent visit with our appraisers was so rewarding for all of us,” said
Deborah Zimmermann, R.N., chief nursing officer and vice president of patient
care services, VCU Health System.
“It was an opportunity to share with experts and our peers
the diversity of the care, the diversity of the excellence, and the
contribution that our nurses make to our patients, our community and also
advancing the nursing profession,” she said.
Representatives from nursing, the medical staff, hospital
administration and members of the entire VCU Health System received
notification from the ANCC today of the Magnet Commission’s unanimous vote for
the re-designation of the VCU Health System as a Magnet organization.
“There would be no place on earth where I would rather have a
loved one, a family member, a friend, an acquaintance or anyone else, all
because of what this designation means and means to all of you,” said Sheldon
Retchin, M.D., vice president for health sciences and CEO of the VCU Health
System. “It’s confirmation of the kind of healthcare that you provide every
day.”
Magnet designation recognizes excellence in 60 rigorous
standards that touch all aspects of nursing, from professional practice,
organizational planning, leadership, innovation, patient outcomes and nursing
research. The VCU Health System received a score of excellent in all of these
standards.
“It is a real honor to receive the Magnet re-designation
as yet another validation of the dedication, commitment and tireless effort of
the more than 2,000 nurses and all of our physicians and staff here at the VCU
Medical Center,” said John Duval, CEO of the MCV Hospitals. “I am proud to
recognize and celebrate the quality care they provide seven days a week, 365
days a year.
“I thank our nurses and all our staff for their
excellence, compassion and devotion to improving health care every day,” he
said.
The Magnet recognition program was developed by the American
Nurses Credentialing Center to recognize health care organizations that provide
organizational excellence. The program also provides a vehicle for
disseminating successful nursing practices and strategies.