Connect

Anticipation is mounting at UVA Health University Medical Center, as four appraisers from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)’s Magnet Recognition Program® will conduct a site visit from Monday, Feb. 24 through Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 — the final step in the Magnet®redesignation process that happens every four years.

“The Magnet appraisers will spend the majority of their time visiting clinical practice settings and interviewing direct care nurses,” explains Jennifer “JT” Hall, MSN, RN, CNL, Director, Nursing Professional Practice, Magnet Program. “Additionally, they will meet with leaders and interprofessional partners as well as review outcomes and workforce data.”

Magnet honors healthcare organizations for quality patient care, interdisciplinary collaboration, nursing excellence, and innovations in professional nursing practice. There are only 613 Magnet-designated organizations around the world. Fewer than 10% of hospitals in the United States hold Magnet designation.

One UVA Health Team

“Being Magnet” is what Hall describes as “committing to the very best evidence-based standards for a highly professional nursing practice environment. Magnet provides us with the roadmap, and we commit to continuing to reach for better. The site visit is really a recognition of this work.” 

Team members are nervous, yet excited and confident.

“I am most excited to witness the pride and celebration as our teams connect with the Magnet appraisers and they realize that we do provide exemplary care, have outstanding teams of nurses all across UVA Health, and are deserving of Magnet recognition,” says UVA Health University Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer Kathy Baker, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FAAN.

'Our Time to Shine'

Nursing Professional Governance Clinical Leaders Luella Glanzer, MSN, RN, and Ava Speciale, MSN, RN, CNML, offer advice to colleagues:

“It has been such a joy to listen to University Medical Center nurses speak about their nursing practice during their prep sessions,” describes Glanzer. “Our nursing colleagues are experts in what they do and have so much to be proud of! Be confident and enjoy this moment of highlighting the impact you have as a professional nurse — both on your patients and on each other.”

“Magnet designation is the highest recognition for nursing excellence,” says Speciale. “We know University Medical Center nurses provide high quality care in their everyday practice, deserving of Magnet recognition. Now is our time to shine as we welcome the Magnet appraisers and invite them to experience our exceptional nursing culture here at University Medical Center!”

Demonstrating Excellence

And this isn’t just about the nursing team. “You may not be directly involved in the site visit, but you are part of the culture,” says Hall. “Being Magnet means the entire organization demonstrates excellence. During the site visit, I hope team members are able to offer encouraging words to those participating and help cover patients so others can participate.”