North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset has received the Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service, joining the Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center as one of the only two hospitals in New York State to be honored with this prestigious award.

North Shore University Hospital nurses were awarded their profession's top honor on March 25 at a ceremony featuring US Senator Charles Schumer, becoming one of only 42 healthcare facilities across the United States to achieve Magnet status.

The 731-bed hospital and its 1,500 nurses were recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for its quality patient care and exemplary nursing leadership. Based in Washington, DC, the ANCC is the nation's leading nursing credentialing organization and is a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA). ANCC President Cecilia Mulvey, RN, PhD, presented the Magnet Award at the ceremony.

Both North Shore University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center maintain higher retention rates for nurses as well as significantly lower vacancy rates. In 2001, the nursing vacancy rate nationally was 11 percent. Maureen White, RN, senior vice president and chief nursing executive for the North Shore-LIJ Health System, said that the average RN vacancy rate is 5.6 percent at NSUH and 2.2 percent at LIJ, according to the health system's 2001 reports.

"It's no coincidence that the only two hospitals to receive the Magnet Award in New York State have such extraordinarily low nursing vacancies," said Michael J. Dowling, president and chief executive officer of the North Shore-LIJ Health System. "We've created a quality work environment committed to excellence in patient and family care. As a result, we are succeeding in becoming an 'employer of choice' in the New York region, attracting and retaining the best in the profession. I salute the 2,700 nurses at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset and LIJ Medical Center for their continuing leadership."

To address future nursing shortage issues, NSUH launched an innovative, on-site nursing degree program last summer to help non-RNs earn an associate's degree in nursing collaboration with Nassau Community College. Approximately 150 students are enrolled in the program and the degree program will be rolled out at other North Shore-LIJ hospitals. The degree consists of 70 college credits, which takes a student approximately four to five years to complete on a part-time basis.

"We have always been proud of the nursing care we provide," said Margarita Baggett, RN, nurse executive of North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. "With Magnet status, our nurses and our hospital have now been validated by the premiere nursing organization in the nation."

ANCC's Magnet program is a voluntary peer-reviewed process. The program recognizes excellence in management philosophy and practices in nursing service; adherence to standards for improving quality of nursing care; leadership of the chief nurse executive in supporting professional practice; competence of nursing personnel; and attention to the cultural and ethnic needs of patients and their healthcare providers.

According to Ms. Baggett, the hospital started the rigorous application process for Magnet status in July 1999, culminating 14 volumes of information for review. In addition, a team of professional registered nurses with experience in nursing administration and nursing practice, evaluated the hospital's nursing services, clinical outcomes and patient delivery according to ANA standards. The appraisers also conducted extensive on-site staff interviews to help validate their involvement in nursing research, ongoing education and innovative patient care initiatives.

"I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of these nurses," said Dennis Dowling, executive director of North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. "They have enabled us to join an elite group of registered nurses across the country that demonstrate excellence in patient care every day."

Ms. Baggett said the Magnet process brought every nursing department of the hospital together and strengthened relationships with other disciplines throughout the facility. This interdisciplinary cooperation and commitment was reflected in the ANCC's summary report given to the hospital.

The ANCC noted that patient-focused, family-centered care was found throughout the hospital, and that nurses at North Shore University Hospital were "respected, valued, appreciated, encouraged and inspired by a committed leadership structure."

Magnet status is valid for four years. After that time, hospitals must reapply to meet ANCC criteria. LIJ was awarded the honor in March 2001.