Drenkard: CNOs should learn business case for Magnet journey

Creating a business case to secure the resources necessary to start the Magnet journey and ensure that other hospital leaders view nursing as an investment rather than an expense is an essential tool for the CNO, said AONL member Karen Drenkard, PhD, RN. Writing in the September issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration, Drenkard, an associate dean and professor at the George Washington School of Nursing, believes the pandemic has underscored the need for a long-term strategy to make sure the nursing workforce “is valued and recognized in a meaningful way” and nurse well-being is addressed. The Magnet program takes an evidence-based approach to creating a positive work environment for nurses that supports clinical excellence. “Even if the CNO decides the timing is not right to apply for Magnet recognition, organizing nursing services around the Magnet conceptual model and sources of evidence will build a strong foundation for excellence in nursing care,” she writes. About 9% of U.S. hospitals have attained Magnet status.