The gold standard

VCU Medical Center redesignated as a Magnet® hospital for fourth consecutive time, thanks to exceptional nurses.

Recognized for exceptional patient care and excellence in nursing practice, VCU Medical Center has been redesignated as a Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The Magnet Recognition Program is the highest national credential for nursing programs and is considered a gold standard.

According to ANCC, VCU Medical Center demonstrates high-quality and patient-centered care through transformational leadership, structural empowerment and exemplary professional practice. The medical center was specifically noted for its strategic initiative to reduce workplace violence and improve safety for patients and team members and the success of
its Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education-accredited Nurse Residency Program to transition new graduate registered nurses, particularly with
a 100% retention rate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applying for Magnet designation requires a rigorous application process that takes months to complete and highlights significant workplace achievements. Detailed in the application were numerous contributions of Pauley Heart Society nurses. They included:

Hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation: Michelle Gossip, M.S.N., RN, CCRN, volunteers to provide and coordinate the lifesaving skill of hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation. As a result, more than 8,000 community individuals have been educated over the past four years (Heart Center Division).

Use of evidence-based practice to revise an existing practice: During their Nurse Residency Program, clinical nurses Jessica Davidson, A.D.N., RN, and Carson Nichols, A.D.N., RN, identified a relevant clinical question to perform an evidence-based practice project, which was translated into practice.

The result was a revised nursing practice and improved medication workflow (Coronary Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit, Cardiology Progressive Care Unit).

Implementation of professional specialty standards: Nurse clinician Linda Currie, M.S.N., ACNS-BC, CCRN-CSC, assembled key interprofessional stakeholders to assess verticalization therapy as an option to mobilize critically ill patients. The interprofessional task force developed the Progression of Verticalization Therapy, and at the time of the Magnet application, 13 patients (two in the CSICU and 11 in the CICU) had been ambulated using verticalization therapy (Care Unit, Wound Care Team).