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Nurses at Massachusetts General Hospital recognized for excellence in quality of care. Photo courtesy of MGH Department of Nursing.   Magnet hospitals address the nursing shortage by: Fostering professional practice and areas of specialty Developing the use of focused knowledge in a specific field Sponsoring summer externship programs for nursing students Attracting the brightest and best health care professionals Magnet Designations Attract Nurses As the nursing shortage crisis continues to threaten our national health care system, hospitals continue to evaluate various ways in which to recruit and retain nursing professionals. One innovative approach is the Magnet Recognition Program. Developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health care organizations that provide nursing excellence. To date, 260 American health care facilities boast Magnet status, including Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, which became the first hospital to receive Magnet Recognition by the ANCC. "Although Magnet Recognition is the highest honor bestowed by the American Nurses Association (ANA) for nursing excellence, it is truly a hospital-wide award," says Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, senior vice president for Patient Care and chief nursing officer at Massachusetts General Hospital. Faced with severe nursing vacancies during the 1980's, nursing leaders began studying nurses' impressions about their profession and what satisfied or dissatisfied them in their jobs. This prompted the ANCC to create the Magnet Recognition Program® (MRP) to help spread successful nursing practices and strategies. Elaine Scherer, MA, BSN, RN, director of the Magnet Recognition Program®, explains that "the MRP was created to promote quality in an environment that supports professional practice, identify excellence in the delivery of nursing to patients and residents, and provide a mechanism for the dissemination of best practices in nursing." The Magnet designation process includes evaluating qualitative factors in nursing, known as "Forces of Magnetism," that exemplify excellence in nursing. The coveted title of Magnet designation is granted only to hospitals that undergo a rigorous, voluntary evaluation process, which can take hospitals from two to seven years. Only about 15 percent of hospitals that apply go on to receive this title.  For Massachusetts General Hospital, becoming a Magnet facility has strengthened the hospital's appeal for health care professionals. The MRP designation is not only improving nursing standards in individual hospitals, but helping to combat the nursing shortage nationwide. "Magnet status means we are an extraordinary hospital and have better outcomes for our patients," says Erickson. "It means we foster an environment of teamwork and our nurses are exceptional." The Commission on Magnet, the governing body of MRP, is working to expand and improve the program, including working to increase the positive outcomes of the program, creating changes in re-designation, and ultimately sharing data regarding Magnet facilities so that research in these areas continues to evolve. Meet Nurse Educator Maureen C. Clinical Nursing Instructor Boston College, Connell School of Nursing Chestnut Hill, MA Q. Why did you decide to become a nurse? A. Nursing runs in my family, dating back to my great grandmother who was a midwife in rural Ireland. Nursing was a career possibility for me from a young age. I am a people person, like to be physically active, am organized and have a good mind for science. Q. In what areas of nursing have you worked? A. First out of school, I worked at Boston Medical Center on the psychiatric floor, medical floor and intensive care units. After my graduate program, I worked as a nurse practitioner and, later, as a school nurse. Two years ago, I went into nursing education and began co-teaching at Boston College Connell School of Nursing. In addition to co-teaching, I'm currently the director of the Simulation Lab. I also work in the telephone triage department of Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates. Q. Why did you decide to participate in the new ad campaign by The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future? A. I love nursing! During my career, I have been privileged to work with so many incredible colleagues and patients. I thought my enthusiasm for my profession would show through in the ad campaign. Q. How has nursing impacted your life? A. For me nursing has been a structure for how to live my life. The training I received in school and in my first jobs has given me the confidence and skills to handle many situations in life. Nursing has also afforded me flexibility so that I can have a balanced family life. Q. What advice would you offer to people who are interested in a career in nursing? A. I really encourage anyone interested in nursing to talk with a nurse and find out what their job entails. If possible, visit a setting where nurses practice. If you pursue nursing, you are giving yourself, your family and the rest of your fellow citizens an incredible gift. You will have a rewarding career: financial security, tremendous flexibility and meaningful work. JERRY C., 69 STONE MOUNTAIN, GA After years of living with pain, Jerry Crane relented to the suggestions of his doctors and family to have knee replacement surgery. While the operation was largely successful, some unexpected complications prolonged his surgery. Shortly after the operation, Jerry experienced a distinct heaviness on the right side of his body and was unable to move his right arm or both legs and feet. "Through the haze, my nurse began asking questions and checking my vital signs," said Crane. "He quickly noticed my loss of reflexes, heaviness and lack of strength in my limbs, and glazed gaze- I was having a stroke." Within moments, Jerry's nurse shared the news of his unexpected stroke with his family. As his condition deteriorated, Jerry's stay in ICU and later a Rehabilitation Clinic lengthened into weeks. It was almost a month of intensive care and rehabilitation therapy before he returned home. "Now a year later, my new knees take me on walks with my grandchildren, up and down the stairs of my home and elsewhere," he says. "I am in the best shape I have been in a decade. My wife and I danced to celebrate our recent wedding anniversary. I haven't been able to do that in years." Jerry notes that if his stroke had not been diagnosed and almost immediately treated, he may have suffered permanent brain damage, memory loss and loss of mobility. "My nurse's skill, knowledge and responsiveness made all the difference in the world. This experience has given me greater respect for the profession of nursing, as well as the fine men and women who practice their craft with such caring and precision-including my good friend, my nurse."