Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health hospital, has achieved Magnet recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)—the nation’s most prestigious nursing honor—for the fourth consecutive time. Fewer than 10 percent of hospitals nationwide have achieved this recognition. RWJUH Somerset first received Magnet designation in 2011 and was redesignated in 2016 and 2021.
Recognition and Clinical Excellence
In announcing the redesignation, David R. Marshall, JD, DNP, RN, CENP, NEA-BC, Chair of the Commission for the Magnet Recognition Program, noted seven areas of excellence. These include the hospital’s percentage of board-certified nurses (57.88%) and the percentage of nurses with a bachelor’s degree or higher in nursing (85.94%), as well as its outperformance of industry benchmarks for rates of Catheter Assisted Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI), Central Line-Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI), falls with injury, burns, and surgical errors.
Hospital-Wide Impact
RWJUH Somerset’s 650 nurses serve in various roles throughout the hospital, including inpatient, surgical and emergency care, behavioral health, outpatient services, care management, education, clinical research, infection prevention, quality improvement, patient experience, patient navigation services, information technology services, community outreach, and administration. Michael Valendo, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CEN, chief nursing officer and vice president of nursing, stated: “The pillars of a Magnet hospital are simply part of our DNA and what we live every day. Our nurses demonstrate the best of their profession, putting our patients and their families at the center of all that they do. But this recognition is not just for nursing, it reflects a hospital-wide focus on delivering quality care with compassion, empathy and kindness.”
According to the ANCC, Magnet-recognized organizations report better patient care outcomes, including decreased mortality rates, shorter hospital stays, and lower infection rates. Magnet status also helps hospitals recruit and retain talented nurses. RWJUH Somerset has been recognized by Healthgrades as one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals, ranking among the top 5% in the nation for clinical care, and has earned three consecutive “A” Patient Safety Grades from the Leapfrog Group.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.newswise.com/articles/robert-wood-johnson-university-hospital-somerset-designated-as-magnet-hospital-for-nursing-excellence-for-fourth-time/?sc=rsmn