What does it mean when a hospital has "magnet certification?"

This certification was developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is one of the prominent sources of successful nursing practices around the world. Nursing departments go through a rigorous assessment and evaluation process before being granted the Magnet certification. The initial certification lasts 3 years.

Though not well known and understood by consumers, Magnet Recognition recognizes healthcare organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence, and innovations in professional nursing practice. It can be a good gauge of the quality of a hospital's nursing staff, but it should not be the only criterion as many good nursing staffs are affiliated with non-magnet facilities. Still, it's a good place to start.

In 1994, the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle was the first ANCC-designated Magnet organization. Sixteen years later, according to the 2010 report on "America's Best Hospitals" in US News and World Report, 8 out of the top 10 featured medical centers were Magnet organizations.