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Weekly Q&A: Awaiting ANCC appraisers

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, December 5, 2006

This week, a reader wants to know what to expect from ANCC appraisers during the site visit. Read the response below from our advisor, Dorothy Anne Garman, RN, MSN, ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® coordinator and coordinator of professional development and patient education at Newport (RI) Hospital.

Q:What can I expect from appraisers during my facility's site visit?

A: Congratulations on getting to this stage of the journey. The appraisers will set the agenda for their site visit with you. They meet with major committees, such as nursing leadership, quality, safety, nursing professional development, and nursing research, and will want to see that staff who sit on these committees are present and are active in the discussion.

At my facility, the appraisers asked us to submit a staffing schedule and they randomly selected nurses from each shift to have lunch or breakfast with them. They also toured the units and spoke with staff, asking questions related to the Forces of Magnetism. The purpose of their visit is to amplify, verify, and clarify, so be ready to answer questions.

The staff need a chance to brag about the quality of their nursing service, and the site visit gives them this opportunity. The appraisers will ask about evidence-based practice, quality, nurse satisfaction, and more. Develop a list of possible questions that they might ask, and review these with the staff. Frame the questions so staff can understand and relate to the material. The appraisers may even interview some patients.

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