SVMC became Vermont's First Magnet Hospital in 2002 when the American Nurses' Credentialing Center (ANCC) recognized SVMC for nursing excellence. The ANCC offers Magnet designation every four years, and SVMC was redesignated in 2006, 2010, and 2015. SVMC was only the third hospital in New England to earn Magnet designation for a fourth consecutive time.

To achieve Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. The process begins with the submission of an electronic application, followed by written documentation demonstrating qualitative and quantitative evidence regarding patient care and outcomes.

If scores from the written documentation fall within a range of excellence, an on-site visit will occur to thoroughly assess the applicant. After this rigorous onsite review process, the Commission on Magnet will review the completed appraisal report and vote to determine whether Magnet recognition will be granted.

An organization seeking to reapply for Magnet recognition must provide documented evidence of how Magnet concepts were sustained over the four-year period since the hospital’s most recent Magnet recognition. As organizations that have mastered these areas, Magnet-recognized healthcare organizations serve as the fount of knowledge and expertise for the delivery of nursing care globally.

Across the board, Magnet organizations demonstrate higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help, and receipt of discharge information, as well as lower risk of 30-day mortality, lower failure to rescue, and lower rates of falls.

Magnet recognition has become the gold standard for nursing excellence and is taken into consideration when the public judges healthcare organizations. In fact, U.S. News & World Report’s annual showcase of “America’s Best Hospitals” includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care. 

The principles that Magnet recognizes—leadership, empowerment, competence, innovation, and the measurement of outcomes—make Magnet hospitals deeply rewarding places for nurses to work. Under this model, each nurse in the hospital has the power to research and propose transformational changes to improve patient care. For more information about working at SVMC, visit the Careers page.

American Nurses Credentialing Center

ANCC Magnet Recognition