BWFH celebrates Magnet recognition at 2019 ANCC National Magnet Conference

The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program® recognizes healthcare organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. This year, 42 representatives from Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital attended the ANCC National Magnet Conference® in Orlando where they walked across the stage in front of more than 10,000 conference attendees, officially marking the hospital’s Magnet recognition.

“It was so exciting to be part of the group up on stage—we just wish we could have brought everyone with us!” says Executive Director of Nursing Professional Development, Practice and Innovation Colleen West, DNP, MBA, RN, CPHQ.

For the representatives the hospital was able to send to the conference, the experience was inspiring.

Pre-Op Holding staff nurse Phyllis Garr, BSN, RN, attended the 2014 ANCC National Magnet Conference, when BWFH was still in the early stages of their quest toward Magnet recognition. There she met and bonded with fellow nurses who believed BWFH could become Magnet recognized: former Associate Chief Nurse of Practice and Innovation Helene Bowen-Brady, DNP, Med, RN-BC, NEA-BC, Program Manager for Nursing Quality and Magnet Tracy Lane, MSN, RN-BC, and ICU Clinical Leader Ellen McCarthy, MSN, RN, CCRN. At the 2019 conference, Garr, Bowen-Brady and McCarthy all reunited, but missed Lane who was on maternity leave. “I wanted Tracy with us when we walked across that stage, so I went to Staples and had a photo of her printed,” says Garr. “It was so fun. Everyone wanted to be with Tracy. She came with us everywhere, even out to dinner, and she walked across the stage with us!”

PACU staff nurse Virginia Ryan, MSN, RN, attended the conference in the past as well, but this year was special. Ryan has worked at BWFH for 34 years. “To achieve Magnet recognition and be part of the celebration of our first designation has been amazing!” she says. “To attend the Magnet conference and walk across that stage representing BWFH in front of over 10,000 phenomenal nurses has been an unforgettable experience. Proud is not a strong enough description. Attending the conference, I was once again humbled by all the great things we already do for our patients at BWFH.”

Nurse Educator Phil Malleson, MSN, RN-BC, attended this year for the first time. “Attending the Magnet Conference truly motivates one to work toward improving nursing practice,” he says. “It was eye-opening to learn about the advancements that we have made here at BWFH over the years that are best practices but are not the norm at all hospitals.” 

Perioperative Nurse Director Robin Kaufman, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, also attended this year for the first time and was blown away by the energy. “It was wonderful to spend the time celebrating with our team and the hospital supporting us going was an incredible testament to the support for nursing,” she says. “It was an incredible experience and the speakers and concurrent sessions were really informative and inspiring. I heard a lot of excitement among colleagues that there was a lot of best practice they were hearing about or seeing in posters that we are already doing.”

Concurrent sessions attended by members of BWFH’s delegation included topics such as “Project Joy: Giving Time Back to RNs for Patient Care,” “Nurse Fellowship: Experience for Experienced Nurses” and many more. In addition to these, all BWFH representatives attended the general sessions by keynote speakers, a Magnet evening at Universal Studios and a special celebratory dinner hosted by Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services Cori Loescher, MM, BSN, RN, NEA-BC.

“Now that we are home, everyone is anxious to share what they’ve learned at the conference and look to make changes based on what they’ve heard,” says West.

Watch highlights from the 2019 ANCC National Magnet Conference here.