Children's Mercy Receives 5th Magnet Recognition

Children’s Mercy has “defended our title” by earning its fifth Magnet designation recognizing nursing excellence.

Dr. Jeanette Ives Erickson, Chair of the Commission on Magnet Recognition, made the notification call Wednesday (Nov. 18) to Cheri Hunt, MHA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President for Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer.

“It is my absolute honor and privilege to officially notify you that the Commission on Magnet has unanimously voted to present Children’s Mercy Kansas City as a Magnet organization,” Dr. Erickson said. “This is your fifth designation…congratulations! We’re grateful for the great work you’re doing.”

“Congratulations, everyone, we did it,” Cheri said after the Magnet call. “We are one of only 25 hospitals in the world at this point to receive a fifth designation. We have an amazing nursing team, and we appreciate everyone’s support. This is about nursing excellence, but it is also about collaboration and outstanding teamwork. We wouldn’t have received this without everyone’s participation within the hospital.”

CM received 11 “exemplars,” which are citations for special areas of outstanding achievement.

Magnet recognition is a program administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). It is an organizational credential awarded to exceptional healthcare organizations that meet ANCC standards for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovation in professional nursing practice. CM was the first hospital in Missouri or Kansas—pediatric or adult—to attain Magnet designation.

CM was awarded its first Magnet designation in 2003. Cheri was at CM for that one and all the subsequent awards.

Which one was sweeter…the first one or the fifth one?

“This one,” she responded, noting that she is retiring Dec. 1 and the designation is a gratifying accomplishment for the hospital as she wraps up her career. “It’s not easy to get five Magnet designations. ANCC raises the bar every year and the requirements are very rigorous. It takes dedication and hard work to create a Magnet Culture, and we have been able to sustain that culture for the past 16 years—an amazing achievement.”

Children's Mercy has earned the right to display the Magnet recognition badge for the fifth time, only one of 25 hospitals in the world that can make that claim.

CM’s next Magnet designation will be due in 2024.

“So the work begins today!” Cheri said.