We Are Magnet
Lehigh Valley area hospital locations and services have earned Magnet® designation, a distinction earned by demonstrating excellence in qualities that attract outstanding nurses and result in outstanding patient care.
Working as a professional nurse at a Magnet-recognized organization provides you with opportunities for leadership and growth in patient care services. Haga clic aquí para español.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program® is the most prestigious designation a hospital can earn. Magnet recognition demonstrates that Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) supports professional nurses to be their best. Our nurses are leaders who are empowered to grow in their profession and help shape the future of patient care while providing compassionate, evidence-based care.
LVHN locations in the Lehigh Valley (Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest, LVH–Muhlenberg, LVH–17th Street, LVHN–Tilghman, home care and hospice services) achieved Magnet designation for the fifth consecutive time in September 2020.
A health care organization can achieve Magnet recognition for demonstrating nursing excellence and quality patient care. Only 9.6 percent of hospitals in the nation have earned Magnet recognition. In the Lehigh Valley, we are the only health care organization to hold this honor.
Demonstrating our commitment to nursing excellence and quality patient care, Lehigh Valley locations earned Magnet designation for the fifth time, a feat accomplished by fewer than 35 national and international health care facilities.
What does it mean to be a Magnet nurse at LVHN?
The ANCC Magnet Recognition Program model includes:
Transformational Leadership
Wherever nursing is practiced, there are structures, processes and expectations for staff nurse input and decisional involvement.
- Visible nurse leaders – Our chief nursing executive (CNE) and other nurse leaders are visible and interact regularly with our nurses.
- RN Advisory Council – Each unit selects an RN representative who meets quarterly with nurse leaders in an advisory capacity.
- CNE Nursing Forums – Our CNE hosts nursing forums as an opportunity to touch base with nurses across the health network.
- Mentoring for clinical nurses – Our Center for Professional Excellence encourages staff to present papers and posters at local, regional and national conferences and to publish in professional, peer-reviewed journals.
Structural Empowerment
Nurses are involved in self-governance and decision-making structures and processes establishing standards of practice and addressing issues of concern.
- Professional governance – Our nurses make decisions at the unit and organization levels regarding their professional practice.
- Involvement in professional nursing organizations – Our nurses present posters and speak at local, regional and national conferences, sharing their nursing practice innovations.
- Professional nursing certifications – We offer support and study opportunities to attain certification.
- Reward and recognition – Our Friends of Nursing Program provides philanthropic dollars to recognize nurses and clinical colleagues with a gala celebration and awards during national Nurses Week.
Exemplary Professional Practice
The care delivery system is integrated within the professional practice model and promotes continuous, consistent, efficient and accountable delivery of nursing care.
- Professional practice model – The model details our conceptual framework.
New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements
Nurses are educated about evidence-based practice and research, enabling them to appropriately explore the safest and best practices for patients and clinical environment.
- We have a variety of ongoing nursing research studies.
- Our nursing innovation unit program is to implement staff-generated ideas – big and small – that make everyday life easier.
- Technology – We use high-tech applications and equipment to improve nursing practice and the patient experience. Our telehealth programs are coordinated by registered nurses. Among the technologies we use:
- BabyCams in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) allow parents to view their baby at all times using a personal computer or smart device.
- Remote patient monitoring allows patients to reside at home with peace of mind knowing their condition is being monitored every day.
- Our innovative use of telehealth technologies earned us the prestigious Magnet Prize®.