At this year’s Magnet® and Pathway to Excellence® Conference in Atlanta, GA, the ANCC announced the results of its Magnet 3.0 study. It provides a comprehensive review of the Magnet Recognition Program® and Magnet Model® to ensure they remain relevant, evidence-based, and impactful worldwide. The study confirms what many of us already know: Magnet Designation is strongly associated with better outcomes among nurses, patients, organizations, and even financial performance. It’s not just a badge of honor; it’s a proven framework for excellence.
Study Design
Two principal investigators, Dr. Patricia Patrician, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Nursing, and Dr. Sean Clarke, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor of Nursing Leadership and executive vice dean, New York University (NYU) Rory Meyers College of Nursing, led this multi-study. It was carried out in three distinct phases to examine Magnet outcomes, perceptions, and application processes.
Phase I: Literature Reviews
The initial phase concentrated on reviewing existing literature. It studied Magnet outcomes through targeted, original research and analyzed Magnet Model component concepts via thorough reviews.
Phase II: e-Surveys
The second phase involved conducting electronic surveys with a broad audience (2,500+ survey respondents). These surveys gathered perceptions of Magnet Designation, its components, and the application process.
Phase III: Interviews
The third phase consisted of interviews with 27 key stakeholders, including Magnet chief nursing officers (CNOs), system CNOs, chief operating officers (COOs), chief executive officers (CEOs), and Magnet Program coordinators. These interviews provided further details and context to complement the survey data.
Study Findings
Phase I: Literature Review Findings
Phase I revealed that Magnet Designation is strongly associated with excellent nurse, organizational, and economic outcomes. These findings underscore the value of Magnet Designation in promoting a positive work environment and organizational success. However, the review also highlighted the need for more research on clinical outcomes and stronger study designs to establish causal relationships. Current evidence suggests correlations, but further work is required to confirm direct impacts on patient care.
Additionally, Magnet Model concepts were consistently linked to positive outcomes. Transformational Leadership (TL), Structural Empowerment (SE), and New Knowledge (NK) showed the strongest associations, while Exemplary Professional Practice (EP) and Empirical Outcomes (EOs) were less frequently connected to favorable results.
Phase II: Survey Findings
Phase II demonstrated that Magnet is widely perceived as a symbol of nursing excellence, both in the United States and internationally. This recognition reflects its role in elevating nursing standards and organizational culture.
Survey results indicated that leaders generally held slightly more favorable perceptions of Magnet compared to direct care staff. Interestingly, respondents with more Magnet experience tended to provide higher ratings but were also more critical, offering nuanced feedback based on firsthand involvement.
Concerns and challenges identified during this phase included the cost of achieving Magnet Designation, the complexity of the application process, and difficulties in capturing the realities of nurses’ current work lives. These critiques were often accompanied by constructive recommendations for improvement.
Phase III: Interview Findings
Phase III interviews reinforced the view of Magnet as a marker of work environment excellence. Participants emphasized the importance of retaining core elements, such as nurse voice, strong leadership, and career development opportunities.
Interviewees also stressed the need to prioritize patient outcomes and maintain effective recruitment and retention strategies. These aspects were seen as essential for sustaining Magnet principles in practice.
Despite these strengths, concerns emerged regarding current standards for New Knowledge, the burden of the application process, and challenges in translating Magnet requirements for international applicants. Similar to Phase II, critiques were paired with recommendations aimed at enhancing feasibility and inclusivity.
Future Impact
The report (Patrician et al., 2025) recommends maintaining the core strengths of the Magnet Model while updating the criteria to reflect modern healthcare. Future priorities include global applicability, workforce composition and credentials, as well as more innovative use of data and evidence in daily practice. The results of the Magnet 3.0 study are specifically intended to guide the development of the next version of the official ANCC Magnet Application Manual.
Bottom line: Magnet isn’t standing still; it’s moving forward. This progress means even stronger support for nursing excellence worldwide.
References:
American Nurses Association. ANCC Announces Results of Landmark Magnet 3.0 Study at Magnet & Pathway ConferenceTM. ANA. (2025, October 9). https://www.nursingworld.org/news/news-releases/2025/american-nurses-credentialing-center-announces-results-of-landmark-magnet-3.0-study-at-magnet–pathway-conference
Clarke, S., and Patrician, P. (2025). “Magnet 3.0: Shaping the Future of Nursing.” Session M600. 2025 Magnet & Pathway Conference™. Atlanta, GA. (2025, October 9).
Patrician et al. Towards Magnet 3.0: A Systematic Literature Review and Mixed Methods Study. American Nurses Credentialing Center. (2025, October). https://brand.ana.org/s/kfvv2v9hj26ffbcfknnjm3
The Magnet Mindset. StaffGarden. (n.d.). Accessed November 10, 2025. https://www.staffgarden.com/insight-detail/the-magnet-mindset
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