Since its inception more than 3 decades ago, the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC's) Magnet Recognition Program® has grown to become the premier international acknowledgment of nursing excellence in healthcare organizations worldwide. From its inception, the purpose of the Magnet® program was to support nursing practice through an organizational commitment to excellence. The Magnet framework, constructed from the 14 Forces of Magnetism1(p157) that evolved from the original 1983 research,1(p157) guides the creation of an environment where nurses lead and are engaged and invested in professional nursing practice. It is a framework steeped in strong interprofessional teams, professional governance, autonomous practice, transparency, and trust all led by professional nurses. Such cultures position healthcare organizations for success by creating value for patients.

An enduring foundation does not imply stasis. Quite the opposite. ANCC and the Commission on Magnet Recognition (COM) are relentlessly future-focused. We seek to ensure that the program continues to evolve to meet the challenges of a dynamic and volatile healthcare environment. As a result, the value of ANCC Magnet recognition and its positive effect on safety, quality, mortality, patient experience, nurse satisfaction, and retention continue to rise globally. With each Magnet Application Manual revision, Commissioners and the Magnet program team bring forward evidence from contemporary sources to integrate into a future edition while maintaining an anchor in the original Forces.

The Forces of Magnetism have remained remarkably stable through 3 decades of change, a testament to their value over time. Instead of crumbling under the weight of shifting sands, these fundamental concepts have broadened and matured to meet modern challenges. One can read any Magnet application to see clear evidence of how the pursuit of Magnet designation improves work environments for all clinicians and improves patient care.

Examples include:

Quality of nursing leadership. Increasingly, nursing leaders partner with their teams. They convey a strong sense of advocacy and support while increasing transparency and accountability to improve care through relationships with nurses who care for patients. Organizational structures. Magnet's flexible structure is dynamic and open to change, as evidenced by nursing's nimble response to the chaos and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. A participative, transparent leadership style continues to help Magnet organizations adapt and adjust post-COVID. We also know now that the structures that were effective in hospitals also produce the same benefit in ambulatory settings. Community involvement. Magnet nurses exert a growing impact on the health of the communities where they live and work. This healing power of collaboration and teamwork supports improved community health and influences nurse recruitment and retention. Research and evidence-based practice. Once the exclusive domain of medical science, nursing research is now a dynamic part of the daily culture. Magnet hospitals have built robust research infrastructures where Magnet nurses lead clinical inquiry and innovation. Professional governance is integrated into every aspect of the professional practice environment, empowering nurses to make decisions affecting themselves, their colleagues, and their patients. Interprofessional relationships. A growing realization that patient care does not happen in a vacuum drives an increasingly collaborative culture. Nurses are members of teams, and collaborating across disciplines and building team engagement are results of the Magnet® culture.

Each iteration of the Magnet Application Manual, including the most recent edition released in 2023,1 adds clarity and consistency to the Magnet Journey and gives hospitals and healthcare organizations a more relevant way to demonstrate the value of nursing care to their communities. As we look to the future, ANCC and the COM will continue to raise the bar and compel higher levels of evidence-based standards guiding clinical care delivery, organizational performance, and nursing excellence. We look forward to 30 more years of meaningful progress.

1. 2023 Magnet Application Manual®. Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses Credentialing Center. 2021.