UAB Hospital has earned Magnet designation for the sixth consecutive time from the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognition Program®. Nursing teams across multiple units and clinics celebrated the honor with a traveling cart party, complete with candy, snacks, giveaways, and carts decorated to enhance the occasion.
The recognition includes UAB Hospital, UAB Hospital-Highlands, and UAB Medicine’s provider-based outpatient clinics. UAB Hospital is one of only 17 worldwide to receive this designation six consecutive times and Alabama’s only Magnet-designated hospital.
Magnet designation is the most prestigious honor a health care organization can receive from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for excellence in nursing and patient outcomes. UAB Hospital was first designated in 2002 and again in 2006, 2011, 2015, and 2019. The 2024 recognition ensures Magnet designation through 2028.
It’s a party
Shannon Purcell, DNP, RN, NE-BC, who directs UAB’s Magnet program, says the travelling cart party was a casual and upbeat way to celebrate the recognition. To describe the event as lighthearted might be an understatement.
“For October 21-25, the champions and I rolled decorated carts from unit to unit and clinic to clinic, delivering goodies and taking photos,” Purcell said. “The carts had thematic decorations and slogans. A cart made up as a bucket of popcorn read, ‘We’re Popping With Appreciation.’ So close to Halloween, we had another cart with skeletons and the caption, ‘We’re so Great It’s Scary.’ There were about 10 of us in the group. So, when we came rolling into units with all the the snacks and candy and shouting congratulations, many of the staff were clearly wondering what in the world was going on.”
Balloons in the shape of the numeral “6,” pompoms, tiaras, and pageant-style sashes that read “Magnet-Designated Nurse” made it clear what was going on.
“Everyone was delighted and really got into the spirit of it all, which was to show some pride in the recognition and also have some silly fun,” Purcell said. “The props made for some wonderful and hilarious photos. Of course any hospital staff will go for snacks, goodies, and a party, but we could see that they were especially pleased to be spotlighted and appreciated. And they have certainly earned that.”
Recognizing excellence
Magnet recognition is earned after rigorous review of UAB’s nursing practice, interprofessional collaboration, and positive patient outcomes by ANCC, as well as a four-year reapplication process by the institution. UAB Medicine Chief Nursing Officer Terri Poe, DNP, RN, NE-BC, said the designation reflects the standard of excellence found in nursing teams across UAB Medicine.
“This recognition is the gold standard of our profession, and the independent confirmation by ANCC affirms what we’ve known for many years: UAB nurses are among the best in the world,” Poe said. “Being named as just one of 17 hospitals in the world with this number of consecutive designations continues to set UAB Medicine apart and continues to motivate our teams to strive for greatness. With this, we will continue to exceed expectations and offer care that can’t be found elsewhere.”
