A magnetic force in nursing

A magnetic force in nursing

Shands Jacksonville receives prestigious Magnet credential

By Robert Coon

Standing at a table before nearly 100 nurses, administrators and other staff, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Kelly Miles waited for the words she and her colleagues so wanted to hear: “The Commission of Magnet has unanimously voted to credential Shands Jacksonville medical center as a Magnet-designated organization.”

This affirmation from Craig Luzinski, director of the Magnet Recognition Program, sparked cheers throughout the room, as years of diligent preparation had come to fruition.

Shands Jacksonville is now a Magnet-recognized organization by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The prestigious designation is nationally recognized as the gold standard of nursing excellence.

“Shands Jacksonville is such a special place and so deserving of this special recognition,” Miles said. “I am just thrilled that our nurses and other staff are being honored with this prestigious national distinction because our nurses and staff give so much to this community and our patients.”

The Magnet Recognition Program was developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center to recognize health care organizations that provide nursing excellence and to disseminate successful nursing practices and strategies. Nursing staff at Shands Jacksonville underwent a rigorous and lengthy application and review process that demanded widespread participation from leadership and staff.

“Magnet recognition is a shining example of the work our nurses do every day. This is something they have been working toward for a long time and it is well-deserved,” said Jim Burkhart, president and CEO of Shands Jacksonville. “The quality of care that they provide to our patients is unmatched. On behalf of the UF physicians and the staff at Shands Jacksonville, I would like to thank our nurses and congratulate them on this prestigious honor.”