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UNC Hospitals is one of 378 facilities in the world, and among only 6 percent of all U.S. hospitals, that have earned Magnet designation.

CHAPEL HILL, NC – UNC Hospitals has achieved Magnet designation for excellence in nursing services by the American Nurses Credential Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®.

UNC Hospitals is one of 378 facilities in the world, and among only 6 percent of all U.S. hospitals, that have earned Magnet designation.

“This is public recognition and validation of how great this hospital is – our nursing staff as well as our physicians, support staff and all of our interdisciplinary partners across the health care system,” said Mary Tonges, PhD, UNC Hospitals senior vice president and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). “Earning Magnet status is good for us in many ways, but most importantly this validates how good UNC Hospitals is, how proud we deserve to be of the staff who work here, and the care we provide for the people of North Carolina every day.”

In conjunction with designation as a Magnet Hospital, the Magnet Commissioners identified three specific exemplars of excellence at UNC Hospitals: the CNO’s leadership style and effectiveness from the “boardroom to the bedside”, the contributions of the Nursing Professional Development, Education and Research department and the strength of nurse-physician collaborative relationships.

The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health care organizations that demonstrate excellence in nursing practice and adherence to national standards for the organization and delivery of nursing services. Applicants undergo a rigorous evaluation that includes extensive interviews and review of nursing services. Research shows there are clear benefits to hospitals that are awarded Magnet status and to the communities they serve:

  • Health care consumers have more confidence in the overall quality of a hospital if it has achieved the level of excellence established by the Magnet Recognition Program.
  • Magnet designated facilities consistently outperform other facilities in recruiting and retaining nurses resulting in increased stability in patient care and patient satisfaction.
  • Because quality nursing is one of the most important factors in enlisting high caliber physicians and specialists, Magnet status becomes an attractive force that extends to the entire facility.

ANCC is the largest and most prominent nursing credentialing organization in the United States. UNC Hospitals’ Magnet status is valid for four years.

Media contact:
Stephanie Crayton or (919) 951-4758