Children's Mercy earns sixth consecutive Magnet® designation

Children’s Mercy is proud to announce that it has achieved Magnet® recognition for the sixth consecutive time, a prestigious honor that highlights the hospital’s commitment to nursing excellence and exceptional patient care. This remarkable achievement places Children’s Mercy among an elite group, being the only health care system in Missouri or Kansas, and one of only two pediatric hospitals in the U.S., to earn six consecutive Magnet designations.

Magnet designation is the highest and most prestigious distinction a health care organization can receive for nursing excellence. It is awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is considered the gold standard for nursing practices and quality patient care.

“Six-cess” in Nursing Excellence

The theme of this year’s redesignation, “Six-cess,” celebrates the dedication and hard work of Children’s Mercy’s nurses and their unwavering commitment to providing the best possible care to patients. This milestone is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the entire hospital team, including nurses, physicians and support staff, who work together to ensure the highest standards of care.

“We are incredibly proud to receive our sixth Magnet designation,” said Stephanie Meyer, MS-FNP, RN, NEA-BC, Executive Vice President, Chief Nursing Executive and Chief Operating Officer for Inpatient Operations at Children’s Mercy. “This recognition reflects the dedication and passion of our entire team’s commitment to excellence. It is an honor to be among the top pediatric hospitals nationwide to achieve this milestone. We’re a better organization today because of the Magnet recognition we first achieved 22 years ago.”

National Recognition

Children’s Mercy’s achievement of six consecutive Magnet designations underscores its status as a leader in pediatric health care. The hospital’s commitment to nursing excellence has resulted in improved patient outcomes, higher patient satisfaction, and enhanced nurse retention and satisfaction.

Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and plays a factor in how the public views health care organizations. U.S. News & World Report’s annual showcase of “America’s Best Hospitals” includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care.

“Nursing excellence isn’t just a designation — it’s a daily decision," said Alejandro Quiroga, MD, MBA, President and CEO at Children’s Mercy. “Our nurses bring clarity in the midst of chaos, they lead with kindness, and they always remember that we're here for the kids. This sixth Magnet recognition is more than a milestone — it’s a reflection of the soul, strength and speed our nursing teams bring to every child, every family, every time.”

Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities, such as:

· Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information.

· Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates.

· Higher job satisfaction among nurses.

· Higher nursing retention rates for team members in their current place of employment.

The Magnet Model provides a framework for nursing practice, research and measurement of outcomes. Through this framework, the ANCC evaluates applicants across several components and dimensions to gauge an organization’s nursing excellence.