Magnet hospital population grows to 445

With increased focus on clinical excellence, the number of ANCC Magnet-designated hospitals continues to grow.

The number of US hospitals awarded Magnet status by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) increased to 445 in 2016, according to the latest update to the Campaign for Action’s Dashboard of the Future of Nursing. Although the campaign was still awaiting 2016 data on the number of US hospitals from the American Hospital Association and, consequently, could not provide an updated stat on the percentage of hospitals that now boast Magnet status, the proportion is likely somewhat more than 9%. (That’s what you arrive at, anyway, if you carry over the 2015 data on the number of US hospitals).

This news is not only welcome for the hospitals that have earned the prestigious honor, but it’s also positive for their nurses, other employees and patients. The Magnet Recognition Program limits its recognition to the best of the best: facilities that have meticulously documented and demonstrated their top-notch nursing processes and quality patient care.

With a gradual rise in the proportion of hospitals having attained this gold standard since the program’s launch in 1990, the progress is good for the profession, too. The Campaign for Action tracks Magnet as an indicator (albeit a secondary one) of progress made toward implementing recommendations from the Institute of Medicine’s 2010 Future of Nursing report.

The growth of Magnet status, the campaign points out, reflects gains in education; specifically, increasing the proportion of nurses with BSNs. Hospitals that earn Magnet recognition have plans to achieve an 80% BSN-rate among their nurses by 2020. Furthermore, their nurse managers and nurse leaders are required to have a BSN or higher degree.

Other nursing gains 

Ready for some more good news? The July update to the dashboard show several other gains toward IOM recommendations as well.

• Since 2009, the annual number of RN-to-BSN grads has more than tripled, from 19,606 to 60,842 in 2016. Interestingly, RN-to-BSN grads made up almost half — 47.4% — of all BSN grads (128,379) last year.
• Increasing numbers of nurses are serving on boards — to be exact, 3,208 nurses served on boards as of July 13, according to the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC). That coalition, formed 2 years ago, has the goal of getting 10,000 nurses on boards by 2020.
• Enrollment in nursing doctorate programs is rising — In the fall of 2010, 7,034 students were enrolled in a DNP program; that number grew to 25,289 by the fall of 2016. PhD enrollment in 2010 was 4,611; in 2016, it was 4,900.
• The number of grads from DNP and PhD programs is also rising — between 2010 and 2016, annual nursing doctoral degrees awarded grew from 1,814 to 5,628. In 2016, 4,855 students graduated with a DNP, and 773 graduated with a PhD in nursing.
• Nursing doctorate grads are growing increasingly diverse.

The Campaign for Action’s nursing dashboard is updated twice a year with the latest information on nursing education, doctoral degrees, state practice environment, interprofessional collaboration, leadership, workforce data and diversity. Secondary indicators, including the number of hospitals with Magnet status, are tracked as well.