Magneteers join BWFH's quest toward Magnet Designation

As part of its quest toward earning ANCC Magnet® Designation, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital recently recruited a group of Magneteers from the nursing staff. Magneteers create awareness, promote involvement and foster engagement among the clinical teams as we prepare for our Magnet site visit.

As a Magneteer, nurses are asked to become familiar with BWFH’s Magnet document and be a source of knowledge on their unit by learning and sharing information about the Magnet Recognition Program.

“We’ve asked our Magneteer’s to attend regular meetings where they will learn all there is to know about the Magnet Recognition Program, especially preparing for our upcoming three-day site visit, and relay that information back to their units in creative and engaging ways,” says Nursing Quality and Magnet Program Manager Tracy Lane, BSN, RN-BC. “During the first session, each Magneteer shared ’What makes you proud to be a BWFH nurse’ and the responses were so powerful and inspiring. Hearing their stories just re-affirmed why I believe we are ready to achieve Magnet Recognition.”

Bernice Potter, BSN, RN, says she volunteered to be a Magneteer in order to give back. “Since BWFH started the Magnet journey, I have taken advantage of the increased support and resources for nursing education,” she explains. “This journey isn’t something the hospital decided to do recently, it has been years in the making. In the beginning, there was encouragement for nurses to go back and get their BSN or other next-step degree. I was given a voucher to start with one course for free. From there I took advantage of tuition reimbursement and scholarships offered. Now with my BSN I take advantage of our conference day and educational offerings.”

As a Magneteer, Potter says she enjoys getting to know nurses from other units. “I hear their enthusiasm for the exceptional care we provide to patients and how we want to be recognized for that. It is uplifting.” she says.

Pam Cheery, BSN, RN, is also excited to be a Magneteer. “I signed up to be a Magneteer because I believe it showcases our excellent nursing care at BWFH. I also wanted the opportunity to become more involved,” she says. “I enjoy meeting people from other departments. I also enjoy hearing about all the good work done here.”

In addition to attending regular meetings and reporting back to their units, the Magneteers are taking their show on the road, beginning with their recent Super Bowl square game with a Magnet Q and A.