Nurses are at the heart of exceptional patient care, and at Stony Brook Medicine, we are committed to fostering a thriving culture. That’s why Stony Brook University Hospital’s Division of Nursing has embarked on a journey toward Magnet Recognition — the highest national honor for nursing excellence, awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which established the award in 1994.
Magnet designation isn’t just a reflection of our nurses — it’s about celebrating the teamwork, collaboration and unwavering commitment to patient care that define our entire organization.
Support from everyone across Stony Brook Medicine is essential to achieving this prestigious honor. Throughout the hospital environment, nurses work together with colleagues from other departments through councils and committees to elevate excellence to patient care. Mutual respect creates a practice environment that emphasizes staff and patient safety, supports employees through a shared mission, and attracts and retains the best talent.
Our journey to Magnet focuses on three key areas: patient experience, nurse-sensitive quality indicators and nursing engagement. By continually reviewing the data reflective of these areas of focus, identifying best practices and fostering a spirit of inquiry, we can ensure that each team member understands the value they bring to quality and the patient experience.
Through working as partners in an interprofessional team, positive and meaningful changes can be achieved to benefit patients and staff. Research and current literature surrounding nursing excellence confirms that when an organization supports its nurses, it results in higher job satisfaction, less burnout and lower turnover rates.
Attaining Magnet designation takes time and attention. The data required to be considered for Magnet designation includes two years of documented patient experience outcomes and nurse-sensitive indicators, along with nursing turnover rates, nursing degrees and nursing specialty certifications. These findings will be presented in a written document that emphasizes interprofessional collaboration, recognition and organizational support.
The data and document will be submitted to the ANCC on October 1 for review. After the ANCC reviews our submission, an appraisal team will come to Stony Brook University Hospital for a highly anticipated site visit to meet with nurses, members of the interprofessional team and former patients to learn more about their experiences. A final decision on Magnet designation is expected during the first half of 2026.
Through embracing a culture that supports, empowers and inspires at all levels of our organization, Stony Brook Medicine has established an environment that creates the structure for nursing excellence and shapes the future of patient care. Achieving Magnet designation reflects all of us. It takes teamwork and a collective commitment to excellence. Thank you for your ongoing dedication to this journey — together, we are making a lasting impact.
Learn more about the ANCC Magnet journey here.
Carol