Three Times Magnet

Always flexible and creative, caregivers didn’t miss a beat when ChristianaCare’s spring 2020 Magnet survey visit was pushed to the summer and made virtual because of the pandemic, based on nurse input.

By computer, iPad and other videoconferencing technology, some 800 nurses, several hundred collaborative caregivers, community partners and nursing school representatives joined our four Magnet appraisers for more than 50 sessions.

These caregivers knocked the virtual three-day visit out of the park, capping a journey that resulted in the health system’s third consecutive Magnet designation. The designation includes Christiana and Wilmington Hospitals, Ambulatory Services and ChristianaCare HomeHealth.

Magnet Masters

Liaisons between 160 Magnet ambassadors and ChristianaCare’s director of Nursing Professional Excellence/Magnet Recognition, Michelle Collins, DNP, APRN, CNS, ACNSBC, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, LSSBB, Magnet Masters are the pillars of ChristianaCare’s Magnet program. They steer Magnet culture systemwide. And over the past three years, they have guided ChristianaCare through our redesignation journey.

Kenneth Anderson, BSN, RN, CCRN Transitional Medical Unit Maria Brown, MSN, RN IV, PCCN, CNL Transition Surgical Unit Elaine Farr, BSN, RN III-BC 2B Transitional Neuro Unit Ashley Jackson, BSN, RN 3B/3C/4B Postpartum

Karen Karchner, ADN, RN, OCN Cancer Research

Samantha Lewis, BSN, RN 6S Wilmington Intensive Care Unit Kara Welcher, BSN, RN ChristianaCare HomeHealth

Rochelle Williams, BSN, RN Ambulatory Infusion

Magnet Commission Exemplar Recognition

The ANCC’s news that ChristianaCare earned our Magnet redesignation came with an extra special surprise and additional proof of excellence: ChristianaCare was also awarded four exemplars. The 2019 Magnet® Application Manual defines an exemplar as “a concept, practice or program worthy of imitation.” The ANCC Commission on Magnet® Recognition awards hospitals and health systems exemplars for extraordinary components of the application document and site visit.

We are deeply grateful for the exemplary caregivers behind ChristianaCare’s four Magnet exemplars:

Off-shift Support Council and Support

The ANCC upheld the Off-shift Support Council as an exemplary instance of how ChristianaCare Chief Nurse Executive Ric Cuming, Ed.D., RN, NEA-BC, FAAN has implemented structural change systemwide. Taking an integrative approach, the council meets monthly to address the needs of night, weekend and evening caregivers. This council implemented numerous changes, such as post-shift wellness and fitness activities, off-shift nurse education opportunities and grand rounds and improved food options at night.

Virtual Reality Magnet Prize Continued Interprofessional Work and Enculturation

The ANCC awarded the 2018 Magnet Prize to the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute for its virtual reality (VR) positive distraction therapy. Since then, ChristianaCare has expanded the program to other units. Our 2020 Magnet appraisers noted three VR program-related practices as exemplary: integrating volunteers into the program; lending 360-degree cameras to Cancer Center patients to create personally meaningful videos, with help from our Health & Technology Innovation Center; and making our virtual reality software open source to allow other health care institutions to develop similar programs.

Nursing Practice Bundle for Exceptional Experiences

A nursing team focused on improving six patient experience components of the Nursing Practice Bundle: purposeful hourly rounding, bedside shift report, exceptional experience leadership rounds, patient education and Teach-back, quiet environment and service recovery. This team incorporated the bundle into huddleboards, helping improve shift hand-off, communication, patient safety concerns, problem-solving and caregiver recognition. This initiative contributed to an impressive increase in ChristianaCare patient experience scores and improved communication between patients and nurses.

Advancing Nursing Workforce Formal Education

The ANCC acknowledged ChristianaCare’s exemplary approach to building, developing and retaining a clinically competent and educated nursing workforce. From 2019 to 2020, the health system’s bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) rate increased from 72.2% to 80%, exceeding our goal. ChristianaCare’s current BSN rate is now 81% and its master of science in nursing (MSN) rate is 21%. This achievement is the result of our exceptional commitment to professional development and advancement.