Using nursing research projects to meet magnet recognition program standards

Glass identifies the characteristics of nurses who are involved in research. Her characteristics are certainly applicable to Magnet project directors and their teams. Not only was nursing research used as an example to meet many standards, but we also applied research skills to help us survive the Magnet application process and site visit. Inquisitive, curious, questioning mind. Creative thinking coupled with the ability to move away from the status quo and develop different ways of doing things. Genuine enthusiasm to see the Magnet project through to the end. Discipline and patience to sustain the Magnet project, a long and arduous process. Clinical expertise and a working knowledge of scientific problem solving to make the Magnet project flow more easily. Ability to think at the conceptual and scholarly level. Sense of humor to see the project through. Receiving Magnet Recognition designation acknowledged the nurses for their involvement in research projects. Glass states, "The nursing process is similar to the research process." Because the ANCC Magnet standards are based on the nursing process, this makes an easy transition for staff nurses. Success of meeting Magnet standards for this institution was greatly influenced by having a full-time nurse-researcher to drive the initiatives, so important in attaining Magnet recognition. The "Magnet" application process reinforced the concept and power of team building. The nurses were actively involved in the hospital's continuous performance improvement and nursing research activities, participating in projects based on clinical outcome-driven care such as pain management, infection control, and patient and family education to improve the quality of patient care without increasing costs. The entire hospital staff benefited from this recognition as all departments strove to meet these high standards. Magnet recognition sets standards for all others to meet and motivates the entire staff to achieve high performance in their own areas of service. Nursing research is a vital component of the Magnet Recognition Program. The nursing research program at this institution proved to be beneficial for patient care and was instrumental in the nursing department successfully achieving Magnet Recognition.