Achieving Magnet? status correlates strongly with a health care organization's commitment to quality patient care and nursing excellence. However, because earning the Magnet designation is not an easy process, only a limited number of hospitals worldwide (ie, approximately 400 facilities) have been awarded this credential by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program?. After facility personnel submit their application and it is approved, the next step is to undergo the Magnet site visit. This visit is an opportunity for facility personnel to show the appraisers how they are meeting Magnet requirements and what makes the facility worthy of the Magnet designation, as well as to validate information presented in the Magnet application. Preparing for the site visit is essential but can be both an exciting and a nerve-wracking time for leaders and personnel because it is impossible to know what the appraisers will ask. This article explains the focus of the site visit, provides guidance for how to prepare, describes what to expect after the visit, and shares the experience of one facility that underwent a site visit.
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