An award given by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC.) Given to fewer than two percent of hospitals nationwide, the Magnet Recognition Program for Excellence in Nursing Services is granted to health care organizations providing the very best nursing care and practices. As a result, nurses are often drawn to these hospitals like "magnets", a boon for Georgetown in an era of nursing shortages.



Criteria for the designation include meeting high nursing standards for improving the quality of patient care, strong nursing leadership, support for continuing education and development, recognition, and an understanding of ethnic diversity among patients, families and fellow health care workers.

According to the application for Magnet, some similar characteristics of hospitals with Magnet status include the following:

• reduced rates of Medicare mortality and morbidity
• decreased nurse "burn-out" or reports of dissatisfaction
• increased patient satisfaction
• more educated nurses
• positive relationships with doctors
• nurses at Magnet status hospitals feel they have adequate support, a strong nurse administrator and feel their work is greatly appreciated.

Magnet hospitals had a vacancy rate of 9.6%, compared to 12.7% in acute care hospitals and 18.5% at long-term facilities without Magnet status, according to a 2001 study by the American Healthcare Association.

Did you know that by the year 2020, there will be an estimated shortage of 434,000 nurses? With this increase in vacant nursing positions -combined with our ever growing population- there is excellent opportunity to have a secure, diverse career that's rewarding both professionally and financially.

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