UF Health Shands hospitals and programs have earned their fourth-consecutive Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Only 41 health care organizations in the nation have received four consecutive Magnet designations and only 20 in Florida have Magnet status.
Magnet designation is the nursing profession’s most prestigious national recognition for health care organizations dedicated to nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes. Hospitals that earn Magnet recognition must meet stringent quantitative and qualitative standards that define the quality of nursing practices and patient care. The application process includes comprehensive written documentation, which is validated by site visits.
Only 8 percent of hospitals and health systems nationwide have received this designation. The Gainesville hospital system’s first Magnet designation in 2003 was followed by two subsequent redesignations in 2008 and 2013.
“Achieving four consecutive Magnet designations is a tremendous accomplishment and is a tribute to highly skilled, knowledgeable and caring nurses and staff,” said Irene Alexaitis, D.N.P., R.N., NEA-BC, UF Health Shands Hospital chief nursing officer and Nursing and Patient Services vice president. “Our patient care teams are dedicated to achieving excellent outcomes through continued professional growth and development. I am extremely proud to work alongside such a committed team of professional nurses.”
