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Checklist for Magnet® Designation: 7 Steps to Support Your Journey

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Magnet® Designation is more than a credential—it’s proof of nursing excellence in action, achieved through the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®.

But the journey to get there (and stay there)? It’s complex, demanding, and different for every hospital.

That’s why we created a step-by-step checklist, built by nurse leaders who’ve led the journey themselves. Whether it’s your first designation or your fifth, this resource helps you stay aligned to every Magnet® Model component—without losing sight of what matters most.

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General Preparation

Lay the groundwork with a clear strategy and the right support for your Magnet Recognition® journey.

  • Understand the ANCC Magnet Recognition® Program Model and its five components.
  • Assess your current nursing practices, leadership, and organizational culture.
  • Identify gaps in data collection, reporting, and process efficiency.
  • Establish a Magnet Recognition® steering committee with leadership and key stakeholders.
  • Create a multi-year budget for fees, education, consultants, and HR needs.
  • Evaluate your technology partners and roadmaps.
  • Develop a detailed timeline and project plan for your Magnet Recognition® journey.

Structural Empowerment

Empower every nurse with tools, training, and trust to achieve excellence together.

  • Align mission, vision, and values with organizational outcomes.
  • Ensure real-time access to quality data for staff decision-making.
  • Develop staff education, training, and professional development programs.
  • Improve and unify clinical communication and streamline workflows.

Support empowered teams and informed decisions with symplr Workforce→

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Exemplary Professional Practice

Strengthen collaboration, clinical excellence, and patient-centered care at every step.

  • Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and patient-centered care.
  • Ensure nurses have access to best practices, benchmarking, and evidence-based guidelines.
  • Reduce administrative burdens and data silos to improve nursing efficiency.

Strengthen clinical growth and team confidence with symplr Learning →

New Knowledge, Innovation, & Improvements

Embrace innovation to continuously evolve and deliver better outcomes for patients and staff.

  • Promote innovation in nursing practice and patient care delivery.
  • Replace outdated systems to align with new models of care.
  • Utilize safety data and technology integration for continuous improvement.
  • Demonstrate provider improvement and value-based care outcomes.
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Empirical Quality Results

Use evidence and outcomes to fuel improvements, engagement, and lasting excellence.

  • Measure and track clinical outcomes related to nursing.
  • Improve workforce engagement and patient satisfaction.
  • Use data analytics and evidence-based decision-making for performance improvements.
  • Implement standardized processes for quality and safety.
Track, improve, and share your outcomes with Midas Health Analytics →

Final Steps & Compliance

Stay prepared, stay compliant, and keep advancing nursing excellence.

  • Conduct an internal readiness assessment before Magnet® application.
  • Gather necessary documentation and performance data for submission.
  • Submit your Magnet® Recognition application and prepare for the site visit & review process.
  • Maintain compliance and continuously improve nursing excellence standards.

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Magnet® is a registered trademark of the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The products and services of symplr are neither sponsored nor endorsed by ANCC.

Resources for Magnet®

Let’s talk about your Magnet® goals

You know where you want to go. We know how to help you get there. With 30+ years of healthcare expertise and solutions designed for nurse leaders, symplr is ready to help you lead the way.

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