UF Health Flagler Hospital Achieves Magnet® Recognition for the Third Time

UF Health Flagler Hospital announced today that it has once again earned Magnet recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program ® distinguishes health care organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. This credential is the highest national honor for professional nursing practice.

“Maintaining Magnet status amplifies the role our nearly 700 nurses play as expert clinicians, specialists and leaders who daily support our mission to provide the best patient experience with the best staff,” said Chief Nursing Officer Mary Mantese. “The designation places our nurses among the very best across the globe and demonstrates that their practice reflects the highest standards of nursing excellence. Our nursing team truly forms the core of UF Health Flagler Hospital and I deeply appreciate each nurse’s commitment to caring for our community and role in making UF Health Flagler Hospital one of the best health care organizations in the country.”

Just 467 U.S. health care organizations out of over 6,300 have achieved Magnet recognition and Flagler is one of only 22 Magnet hospitals in Florida.

“We’re a better organization today because of our initial and ongoing commitment to Magnet. This journey started more than a decade ago when our CEO Joe Gordy set us on the path and we became the first hospital in Northeast Florida to achieve this designation,” added Hospital President Jason Barrett. “Magnet recognition raises the bar for patient care and helps inspire every member of our team to achieve excellence every day. It is this commitment to providing our community with high-quality care that helped us become a Magnet-recognized organization, and it’s why we continue to pursue and maintain Magnet recognition.”

The Magnet Model provides a framework for nursing practice, research, and measurement of outcomes. Through this framework, ANCC evaluates applicants across a number of components and dimensions to gauge an organization’s nursing excellence. Elements include the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.

To achieve initial Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. This process includes an electronic application, written patient care documentation, an on-site visit, and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition. Health care organizations must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years.