Children’s Hospital Colorado Earns Magnet Re-Designation for the Fourth Time

Children’s Colorado has again received the highest international recognition for excellence in nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®. Chief Nursing Executive Pat Givens was told by the Magnet Recognition Program® to congratulate Children’s Colorado for achieving Magnet designation for the fourth consecutive time.

This is the fourth time Children’s Colorado has achieved Magnet recognition. Children’s Colorado is among the ranks of less than 100 hospitals worldwide that have achieved Magnet re-designation for the fourth time.

In a tough year, our nurses adapted to meet patient needs

"This re-designation is a testament to our extraordinary nurses during a year when our processes and resilience have been put to the test," Givens said. "I find myself in awe as I look back on the efficiency and tenacity of our nursing teams as they implemented new ways to meet patient needs during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am constantly inspired by their dedication to our hospital’s mission to provide incredibly different care."

Children’s Colorado received recognition in six areas of distinction

In addition to Magnet re-designation, Children’s Colorado achieved six exemplars, or areas of distinction. One area of distinction is the hospital’s mentorship program for clinical nurses within the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), which showed a significant decrease in new hire clinical nurse staffing turnover and a 9% increase in job satisfaction. The mentorship program was highlighted at three national professional nursing conferences and is deemed a national model for nursing mentorship programs.

Another area of distinction is the Children’s Colorado Ethics Committee, an interdisciplinary team with advanced ethics training gained through the hospital’s formal education program. This team creates and upholds a moral courage policy that helps team members navigate ethical issues and ensure the best possible experience for patients and families.

To comply with COVID-19 hospital guidance, this was the first entirely virtual Magnet visit. Over a period of four days, appraisers from the Magnet Recognition Program were guided through multiple units in the hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus and satellite locations via wireless computer workstations-on-wheels. Staff shared nursing excellence virtual presentations in a conference room, where a command center operated a switchboard and multiple call-in lines.

"The team stepped up to create a positive review experience by flawlessly executing a virtual visit, which we were told was one of the Magnet appraiser’s best visits," Givens said. "It was no easy feat, but the units and teams virtually showcased nursing research, communicated the culture of our organization and shared tips for creating resiliency and camaraderie among staff during a pandemic. Not only was the team prepared to share our accomplishments, we wish we had more time to celebrate the professional nurse practices that positively impact our family-centered care and patient outcomes."

Excellent nursing means excellent patient care

"Pediatric nurses are remarkable, and our nurses stand apart as some of the most talented, compassionate and dedicated people who find new and better ways, every day, to care for the next generation," said Jena Hausmann, president and CEO of Children’s Colorado. "As the world has experienced a rollercoaster year, the nurses at Children’s Colorado have remained steadfast and resolute in advocating for effective, kind, patient-centered care. Our pediatric health system is made better because of their consistent, devoted work and passion to help every person who enters our doors. I’m humbled and honored to consider myself a team member among these truly remarkable nurses working the frontlines of the ever-evolving pediatric nursing field."

The Magnet designation is recognized at all Children’s Colorado Denver Metro locations and the Briargate Outpatient Care Facility in Colorado Springs. Under the new leadership of Kathie Seerup, MSHA, RN, VP and Chief Nursing Officer of Children’s Colorado’s Southern Region, the team at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs is beginning their Magnet journey for a first designation. 

Magnet recognition identifies the best of the best

The Magnet Recognition Program, administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, is the largest and most prominent nurse credentialing organization in the world. It identifies health care organizations that provide the very best in nursing care and professionalism in nursing practice.

The Magnet Recognition Program serves as the gold standard for nursing excellence and provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark for measuring quality of care. Only 8.6% of U.S. hospitals achieve Magnet designation. Only 47 pediatric organizations have been recognized by Magnet. Children’s Colorado was initially designated a Magnet hospital in 2005 and was recognized again in 2011 and 2015. Hospitals must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet concepts and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality.

Research demonstrates that patients benefit from visiting a hospital with Magnet status. Magnet hospitals report improved clinical outcomes, fewer patient falls, fewer medication errors, lower mortality rates, and higher patient and family satisfaction with nurse communication and their hospital stay. Magnet hospitals also tend to have lower nursing turnover and an improved nurse work environment.

“This is a rare and well-deserved recognition of Children’s Colorado’s exceptional nursing practices and the organization’s dedication to hiring top talent who provide innovative care to kids from across the nation,” said Sharon Pappas, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Magnet Recognition Program® Commission Executive Committee Member, American Nurses Credentialing Center.

See where else Children's Colorado healthcare providers excel on our awards and recognitions page.