Magnet® and Pathway: Partners for Nursing Excellence

This month's Magnet® Perspectives column examines American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Recognition Program® and Pathway to Excellence® Program as partners for nursing excellence. We explore the differences between the programs, how they complement one another, and how they can be combined to impact a host of key measures, including nurse engagement, interprofessional collaboration, and patient safety. Nursing leaders at 2 dual-designated hospitals share their decision to pursue both credentials and ways in which the combined designation adds value for nurses and the patient care environment. They discuss how the essential elements of a Magnet and Pathway culture contributed to a nimble, innovative response to the COVID-19 pandemic and strategies nursing leaders can employ to create and sustain an environment where change flourishes and nurses thrive.