In their book, Magnet Hospitals Revisited: Attraction and Retention of Professional Nurses, Margaret McClure, Ed.D., RN, FAAN, and Ada Sue Hinshaw, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, list 14 characteristics that differentiate hospitals that attract and retain nurses from others.

1Quality of nursing leadership—Knowledgeable, strong nurse leaders are willing to take risks and advocate for their staff.

2Organizational structure—Nursing departments are decentralized, with unit-based decision-making and strong nurse representation in committees throughout the organization. The nursing leader serves at the executive level of the organization.

3Management style—Managers involve staff at all levels of the organization. Nurse leaders make an effort to communicate with staff, and staff members feel their opinions are heard and valued by management.

4Personnel policies and programs—Salaries and benefits are competitive. Creative and flexible staffing, with staff involvement. Many opportunities for promotion, both in clinical and administrative areas.

5Professional models of care—Nurses have responsibility, accountability and authority in their patient care. They coordinate their own care with support and proper resources from the organization.

6Quality of care—Nurses believe that they are giving high-quality care to their patients, and that their organization sees high-quality care as a priority.

7Quality improvement—Staff nurses participate in the quality improvement process and believe that it helps improve patient care within the organization.

8Consultation and resources—Consultation, including advanced practice nurses and peer support, is available and used.

9Autonomy—Nurses are allowed and expected to work autonomously, consistent with professional standards as members of a multidisciplinary team.

10Community and the hospital—Hospitals maintain a strong community presence that includes a variety of long-term outreach programs.

11Nurses as teachers—Nurses teach in all aspects of their practice.

12Image of nursing—Nurses are seen as essential to the hospital’s delivery of patient care.

13Interdisciplinary relationships—Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists and all other members of the health care disciplines treat each other with respect.

14Professional development—Organizations emphasize orientation, inservice education, continuing education, formal education and career development.