Practice Environment and Nurse Outcomes by ANCC Designation: Insights From NDNQI

Area of Science:

• Nursing Quality Indicators
• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• The nursing workforce experiences high burnout and turnover, prompting a reevaluation of factors influencing nurse experience, safety, and care quality.
• Nursing excellence credentials, like Magnet and Pathway to Excellence (PTE), are strategic initiatives to improve practice environments and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare nurse outcomes and practice environment perceptions.
• To evaluate these perceptions across Magnet, PTE, and non-ANCC designated hospitals.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study design was used.
• Data from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) RN Survey in 2023 were analyzed.
• Hospitals were categorized into three groups: Magnet, PTE, and non-ANCC designated.

Main Results:

• The study included 26 PTE facilities, 69 Magnet organizations, and 157 non-ANCC hospitals.
• Significant differences in RN-reported measures were found across the groups.
• Both PTE and Magnet organizations demonstrated superior performance compared to non-ANCC designated hospitals.

Conclusions:

• Despite different designation pathways, both Magnet and PTE programs highlight the importance of quality practice environments.
• Nurse leaders should prioritize the creation and maintenance of healthy work environments to support professional nursing practice.