Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite Hospital has achieved Magnet recognition again for its continued dedication to nursing excellence. Conferred by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the world’s largest and most prestigious nurse credentialing organization, Magnet Recognition Program® designation is the highest international distinction a healthcare organization can receive for nursing care.

The ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes healthcare organizations worldwide that demonstrate superior nursing processes, unparalleled patient care and the highest levels of safety and quality, resulting in satisfaction among nurses and patients alike. Maintaining Magnet-recognized status signifies Scottish Rite’s demonstration of excellence and outperformance in each of these areas. There are currently 591 Magnet hospitals in the United States, including Scottish Rite and Children’s Egleston Hospital among only 46 Magnet-recognized pediatric organizations.

“We are incredibly honored to receive Magnet designation once again for Scottish Rite,” said Linda Cole, MBA, BSN, RN, FACHE, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer at Children's. “This accomplishment wouldn’t be possible without our passionate and dedicated nurses and care delivery partners who go above and beyond for our patients and families every single day. This news follows the second Magnet designation for Egleston in June 2023, so it’s been a remarkable year for the Children’s nursing team.”

Following Scottish Rite’s first designation in 2019, Children’s understood the importance of pursuing Magnet recognition again. To achieve its second Magnet designation, Scottish Rite had to continue demonstrating an exceptional practice environment for nurses and meeting high standards for patient experience. This lengthy process included an electronic application, written patient care documentation, a three-day Magnet site visit in August 2023 and an official review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition.

Scottish Rite received the official designation results call from the ANCC Commission on Magnet Recognition Chair on Monday, Oct. 23. Scottish Rite nurses, Children’s employees from around the System and members of the Executive Team from around the System were gathered in the room to hear the news and celebrate together.

The ANCC commended several key strengths of the Scottish Rite nursing team:

• Commitment to professional development and lifelong learning. Nearly 90% of professional registered nurses have obtained a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing, exceeding the 80% targeted goal.

• Nursing sensitive indicators. For most of the past two years, 100% of data showed Scottish Rite outperformed the national benchmarks for the following quality indicators: hospital acquired pressure injuries and device-related pressure injuries across all inpatient units, falls with injury across all ambulatory settings, and average time from ED arrival to departure for admitted patients.

• Patient satisfaction. For most of the past two years, 100% of inpatient units exhibited high-performance in patient engagement/patient-centered care, patient education, care coordination, and courtesy and respect.

Egleston received its second Magnet designation in June 2023. Children’s Hughes Spalding Hospital is currently pursuing its second designation by the ANCC Pathway to Excellence Program®.