Published October 22, 2026
The journey to nursing Magnet Recognition is so challenging that many hospitals never take the first step, and only about 10 percent complete the journey.
But at L+M and Westerly hospitals, that journey is well underway. From frontline nurses to executive nursing leadership, teams across both organizations are working together to advance professional nursing practice and join their Yale New Haven Health colleagues. Bridgeport Hospital recently earned its first Magnet Recognition; Greenwich and Yale New Haven hospitals earned redesignation.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) awards Magnet to healthcare organizations meeting rigorous standards for nursing leadership, professional practice, patient outcomes and workplace culture.
Getting there requires sustained commitment and collaboration. In fact, achieving Magnet designation is a bit like assembling a vast jigsaw puzzle, with each piece representing a different aspect of nursing practice: from patient outcomes and professional development to shared decision-making, leadership, innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“Magnet is not simply an application,” said Nancy Bonner, RN, Magnet program coordinator, L+M and Westerly hospitals. “It’s a framework for showcasing who we are as professional nurses and the impact nursing has on patients, families, colleagues and our communities. It challenges us to examine our practices, celebrate innovation, strengthen nursing structures and demonstrate the outcomes that result from exceptional professional nursing practice.”
The journey for L+M and Westerly began about 18 months ago, with the goal of applying for Magnet at the end of next year. Work has been ongoing in multiple areas, with nurses engaged in continuous quality improvement, particularly reducing hospital-acquired infections and falls.
But Magnet is more than that. Westerly Hospital’s Nursing Professional Governance (NPG) team recently joined hospital leaders to celebrate a donation of colorful paintings from a local artist and former patient (see accompanying story in this issue).
“NPG at Westerly made a community connection that has enhanced the hospital environment,” Bonner said. “It’s an example of engagement and the collaborative and inclusive nature of the Magnet journey.”
Another accomplishment was the effort to compile examples of nursing excellence for the Magnet application.
“Nurses came together to talk about improvements they led, challenges they overcame, innovations they introduced,” Bonner said. “The process highlighted the extraordinary impact nurses have every day and reinforced our shared commitment to exceptional patient care.”
Shannon Christian, RN, chief nursing officer, L+M and Westerly hospitals, cited another example of Magnet magic: the new Nursing Quality Forum, an interdisciplinary collaboration among Quality and Safety, Nursing, Infection Prevention, Regulatory Affairs, Nursing Education and Magnet teams.
“The forum has helped nurse managers better understand quality principles and provided actionable, unit-level data on key performance measures,” Christian said. “It supports units in planning and evaluating improvement initiatives.”
The demanding work is needed in this early phase of the Magnet pathway, Christian said.
“We’re strengthening the structures, processes and data required for success,” she said. “It’s an ongoing affirmation of our commitment to safe, high-quality, patient-centered care, and to supporting the growth of every nurse in our system.”
Bonner agreed, noting that the journey to Magnet is part of its value.
“It is inspiring an extraordinary level of engagement from nurses at every level,” she said. “The transformation throughout our organization is already evident in the way nurses engage, lead, collaborate and improve care every day. We’re not only preparing for Magnet designation, we’re creating an environment where excellence is visible, valued, sustained and celebrated.”
