American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognition Program Application Manual, 2008 Edition. Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses Credentialing Center. 94 pages, soft cover $249 (discount rate of $199 on orders of 10 or more), available on the Web site: http://www.co-store.com/anccmagnet
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) commissioned a statistical analysis of appraisal scores for applicants under the 2005 Magnet Recognition Program Application Manual (ANCC, 2004, p 1). The goal was to examine the relationships among the Forces of Magnetism. The results indicated an alternative framework for grouping the Sources of Evidence (SOE), fewer than the previous 14 Forces. The new model guides healthcare organizations on improving performance that is driven by outcomes. The Magnet Model is composed of 5 components, including transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice and new knowledge, innovations and improvements, and empirical outcomes within the context of global issues in nursing and healthcare. It is this new model that is the foundation for the 2008 edition of the Magnet Recognition Program Application Manual.
The resulting application manual is the grouping of the SOE in the model components that are clear and distinct. Redundancy seen in the SOE of the 2005 manual has been eliminated. Empirical outcomes are required as SOE within each of the components of the model. Throughout Chapter 4, "Evidence Submission for Initial Applicants," the Magnet Dictionary is a readily available resource for definitions of words and phrases used within the manual (pp 19-34).
Another distinction between the 2005 edition and the 2008 edition is a chapter devoted to facilities that are redesignating (pp 37-52). The premise is that as Magnet organizations mature, and structure and processes are hardwired, quality outcomes and innovative practice will follow. Therefore, emphasis for redesignating Magnet facilities is on new knowledge, innovations and improvements, and empirical outcomes.
For those facilities on the Magnet journey using the 2005 manual as a guide, a crosswalk is included in the 2008 manual (pp 75-86). This crosswalk lists each of the SOE for the organizational overview and the 14 forces, cross-referencing their location in the 2008 manual. In this table, it is clear which SOE have been deleted and the location of the SOE within the new model.
Users of the manual are also advised to monitor the ANCC Web site. The ANCC Web site will host any changes to the manual: http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Magnet/ApplicationProcess.aspx.
The 2008 Magnet Recognition Program Application Manual provides a clearer framework for improving the healthcare environment and patient outcomes.
-Deborah Martin, MBA, MSN, RN, NE-BC
Regional Director of Professional Development Banner Health, Phoenix, Arizona