UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital has been recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program® for achieving a second Magnet designation.
Magnet is considered the gold standard for nursing excellence; as of July 2024, fewer than 10% of health care organizations out of nearly 6,200 nationwide are recognized with Magnet designation.
For psychiatric facilities, the designation is exceptionally rare. In 2019, Resnick became the second in the nation to achieve Magnet status and remains one of a select few psychiatric hospitals with this prestigious honor.
“This designation is a ringing endorsement of the excellent nursing care that's given here. And it also validates the tremendous work and dedication that nurses demonstrated throughout the pandemic,” says Patrick Loney, MBA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer for Resnick.
Loney notes that, unlike some hospitals in the country, Resnick nurses continued to participate in professional governance of their practice despite the pandemic.
“Staff remained engaged in professional development and quality initiatives,” he says. “And those groups continued to meet through the pandemic, and we believe that helped continue our culture of nursing excellence.”
Magnet designation says much about the high quality of nursing at Resnick, Loney says. For example, close to 90% of staff have at least a bachelor’s degree, and more than 51% of the nursing staff are board-certified in psychiatric nursing.
“That’s very high for a psychiatric hospital,” Loney says. “It also means that the nurses here have a voice in improving quality. A lot of the improvements we've made in quality are nurse-centric, and that's a big part of what Magnet is.”
Magnet designation is conferred every four to five years to health care organizations that demonstrate excellence in the delivery of patient care, as well as innovation in professional nursing practice. Applicants must reapply for Magnet designation through a rigorous process that includes providing descriptions and documented evidence of nursing excellence in practice and patient care outcomes, followed by an on-site evaluation.
Resnick is joined in Magnet designation by Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, with four designations, and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, with two designations. All three facilities earned designations for work performed during the pandemic.
Exceptional care every day
“Magnet shows a higher level of commitment and dedication to continuous quality of care and clinical nursing practice during such a challenging time,” says Jessica Phillips, PhD, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, executive director of Nursing Practice, Education and Research for the Center for Nursing Excellence. “And I think that's a testament to the level of support we provide our nurses around wellness, self-care and stress management. We ensure they have everything they need at the bedside to not only care for themselves and their colleagues, but also to provide exceptional care for our patients, their families, and the communities that we serve.”
Susan Mahnovski, MS, RN, PMH-BC, CNL, Nursing Practice Outcomes and Magnet coordinator, notes that although organizations must undergo redesignation every four to five years, the collection of data and measures of nursing excellence are ongoing; like nursing and patient care, it never stops.
"I am most proud of the recognition achieved for the incredible work our nurses do every day and the exceptional level of care they provide,” she says. “The Magnet designation is a true tribute to the dedication of everyone on the nursing units. It’s just wonderful to have an opportunity to celebrate that."
A collaborative effort
Karen Grimley, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, FAAN, chief nursing executive, UCLA Health and assistant dean, UCLA Health School of Nursing, agrees, noting that Magnet designation speaks volumes about the organization as a whole.
“It really is a celebration of professional nursing practice at the highest level, which is why we went into nursing. It's where our passion and excitement comes from,” Dr. Grimley says. “Whether you're a 30-year veteran or a new grad, the enthusiasm created by a Magnet designation resonates beyond belief, not just for nurses but for all those who support and collaborate with us across the system.
“While Magnet is a survey to measure nursing excellence, the designation reflects the outstanding commitment and excellence of our entire health system,” Dr. Grimley says. “It underscores the dedication of our nurses and the collaborative efforts across UCLA Health that elevate our practice to the highest standard. This recognition truly honors the passion that inspires us all to deliver exceptional care.”
