Nursing

Weekly Q&A: Stepping toward the journey

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, April 24, 2007

This week, a reader asks about few key steps to take before starting the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® (MRP) journey. Read the response below from our advisor Dorothy A. Garman, RN, MSN, MRP coordinator and coordinator of nursing professional development and patient education at Newport Hospital in Newport, RI.

Q: What are a few key steps to take before starting the journey toward designation?

A: You have to make the journey process your own depending on where the hospital's strengths and opportunities lie. Most importantly, you have to encourage direct care nurses and other healthcare providers to participate in the journey so you can reap the benefits of their feedback and their buy-in. Use the following four steps to help your hospital with its journey:

  1. Assess readiness for the journey. You need to know that the hospital Board of Directors and the hospitalwide management team is on the same page as to the benefits of designation and what it entails.
  2. Have the beginnings of a model of shared governance up and running before you officially apply for MRP status. Visit other designated facilities and obtain information about their model of shared governance.
  3. Complete a gap analysis. The gap analysis will give you a snapshot picture of what strong programs you have in place and what you need to work on. For example, my organization did not have a process in place for nurses to participate in nursing research when we applied for designation. Nursing research became the number one priority and over a two-year period, we had a successful and active nursing research program.
  4. Schedule an MRP retreat for the purpose of completing the gap analysis. Consider having a project director from a nearby designated facility come and speak at the opening of your retreat.

Editor's note: Do you have a question for one of our advisors? If you'd like us to consider your query for publication, please send it to Cameran Erny.

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