Anna Cerra, center, chief nursing officer at Greenwich Hospital, celebrates with staff upon hearing in September that the hospital had received the prestigious Magnet designation for a second time from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation’s highest honor of nursing excellence.
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Greenwich Hospital earns highest honor of nursing excellence
GREENWICH — Greenwich Hospital has earned the prestigious Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center for the second time.
It is among only 8 percent of the more than 5,600 hospitals nationwide — and one of seven in Connecticut — to achieve this honor.
The ANCC awarded the Magnet redesignation with six exemplars, commending Greenwich Hospital for its professional nursing practices, career development and safety.
“Our Magnet redesignation reinforces the message that Greenwich Hospital ranks nationally for the best nurses in the nation. Our excellent patient care and clinical outcomes reflect that level of expertise and dedication of our nursing staff throughout every corner of the organization,” said Anna Cerra, who is a registered nurse and a doctor of nursing practice. She serves as senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Greenwich Hospital.
Magnet designation is the highest honor of nursing excellence that any hospital can achieve, according to a statement from Greenwich Hospital. This Magnet redesignation is the culmination of several years of preparation and commitment to evidence-based nursing practices and patient care, according to the hospital.
“This achievement is a testament to our consistent culture of excellence and the great team who made it happen, led by Priscilla Sterne, RN, DNP, director of nursing operations and our Yale New Haven Health partners,” Cerra said.
The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health-care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional practice. To achieve Magnet status, Greenwich Hospital submitted a comprehensive manuscript in June 2020, during the height of COVID-19, which included scores of documented examples of nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes at Greenwich Hospital.
This past May, three Magnet appraisers conducted a three-day virtual visit at the hospital, assessing patient care and outcomes. Magnet hospitals must undergo re-evaluation every four years to retain the designation.
“To achieve this honor during an international pandemic underscores Greenwich Hospital’s ongoing commitment to provide the best possible patient experience in any situation,” said hospital President Diane Kelly, who is also a registered nurse and a doctor of nursing practice.
“Magnet designation provides the ultimate benchmark for patients and their families to measure the quality of care they can expect at a hospital. The hard work and dedication of our nurses ultimately elevates the work environment of all staff and physicians,” Kelly said.
According to ANCC, Magnet recognition provides a road map to advance nursing excellence. Optimum job satisfaction results in lower nurse attrition and an improved patient experience.
To attract and reward the best in nursing talent, Magnet-recognized organizations embody a collaborative culture, where nurses are valued as partners in the patient’s safe passage through their health-care experiences. The culture is supported by investment in nursing education and development, ensuring that nurses are supported in their career. Interprofessional collaborative practice is nurtured, with a focus on respect, autonomy and shared values.