Nursing Services AUBMC Embark on a new Journey for Excellence

Director Gladys Mouro and Fadwa Affara, recipient of ANCC President's Award

Aiming for excellence is a non-stop endeavor for AUBMC's Department of Nursing Services. Not only has the department been accredited and reaccredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission and by the American Heart Association but, Nursing Services is now also seeking the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program Designation - one of the highest levels of recognition that an organization can achieve for excellence in nursing in the world.

In an interview with Gladys Mouro, assistant hospital director for nursing services at AUBMC, she described the factors that led to the start of this journey. It all began five years ago when she attended the Profiles in Excellence at the annual magnet conference: Magnet Recognition Program organized by the ANCC. "It was then that I knew that the Magnet Recognition Designation should be our legacy," says Mouro.

Mouro, along with AUBMC nurses, was recently granted the ANCC Valor in Nursing Commendation during the October 4, 2007 eleventh National Magnet Conference in Atlanta, Georgia since "their commitment to the Magnet Recognition Program and the Forces of Magnetism signal to the world that there is joy in devastating times when nurses celebrate in service to others," as described by ANCC. In her presentation at the conference she described the journey to excellence after 20 years of war.

Magnet's benefit to AUBMC will be remarkable, affirming confidence in the hospital because it will have obtained the highest honor awarded for nursing care. "It is an extremely difficult designation to receive because it requires that one changes the environment and culture of the institution," said Mouro. The ANCC's recent assessment of the Nursing Services was very positive.

Magnet hospital designation has become the "gold standard" by which nurses judge institutions when considering application for positions according to Linda Aiken, well known nurse researcher.Organizations that have achieved Magnet status use the label and characteristics to advertise and attract nurses and patients. According to Due Ada Hinshaw, the public can recognize the excellence of the nursing care, a major reason for the Magnet designation. Only 250 hospitals today have the Magnet status and AUBMC today has taken the challenge to go on the Journey to excellence in spite of all that is happening. It is only because of the courage of the staff and determination with the support of the BOT, the President, the dean and hospital administration that one would venture into such a huge step.

"We need to provide a minimum of 165 evidences to qualify .and each needs a narrative," said Mouro, and employing them will help Nursing Services create the environment that encourages decision making and critical thinking. Community services, empowerment, autonomy, and flexibility will follow. This will result in outstanding patient care.

Nursing Services will be submitting its report for designation to Magnet in February 2009. "We expect around five appraisers to visit on-site afterwards. If we receive the designation, it will be excellent credibility for the institution, especially because a long waiting list of institutions is queuing in the United States to apply for Magnet…I think we have a good chance of receiving Magnet recognition. Our team is committed and is working very hard. The process of applying for Magnet recognition is in my opinion an excellent therapy to move and continue our mission. So many individuals are involved in Magnet over here and it is an immense project to run," she added. "I tell the nurses that we are making history for the future generation. And when we get Magnet, we are going to light up Beirut…This is what's special about AUB, we strive for the impossible and make it happen," said Mouro.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center is an internationally renowned entity that certifies nurses in specialty practice areas, recognizes health care organizations for nursing excellence through the Magnet Recognition Program®, and accredits providers for continuing nursing education.