Achieving the Magnet State and Change The medical field has seen many changes in the twentieth century. One way that hospitals and nurses in particular have changed and implemented changes is by pursuing accreditations, awards and recognition. The purpose of this article is to understand the state of the magnet and the change required by hospitals to achieve it. Overview of the Magnet State The history of the Magnet State began in 1992. The American Nurse Credentialing Center first developed the idea of ​​the Magnet State after extensive research studies. perform during the nursing shortage of the 1980s. The goal was to find out why some hospitals were able to retain and even recruit nurses during the shortage. It was found that of the 165 hospitals that participated, 41 shared seven key characteristics. (Chaffee, Leavitt, & Mason, 2007) These seven attributes were the beginning of what became the fourteen forces of Magnetism. The attributes or strengths are based on nursing standards of care. This is the ability of hospitals, working together with nursing staff, to provide excellent nursing care. This is the care of the patient, the nursing staff and the hospital as a whole. The programs first awarded Magnet status in 1994. Since then, several hundred have achieved Magnet status, and several hundred more are in the process of applying. In 2001, the first international hospital achieved Magnet status. As in the medical field and also in the nursing field, all things need to change, this includes the Magnet Program. In 1996 the standards and requirements along with the name evolved and changed. The program became known as the Magnet Recognition Program for excellence in nursing service, with requirements moving from internal review to pu...... middle of paper ......nursing is one of the areas most important that a hospital needs to address when trying to improve outcomes safely. While many still question the necessity and costs, there is no doubt about the benefits to staff and patients at Magnet Recognized hospitals. With this designation having achieved international standing, many others are looking to join the elite Magnet club. ReferencesAiken, LH, Clarke, SP More nursing, fewer deaths. doi:10.1136/qshc.2005.017343American Nursing Association. 2010. Retrieved April 2011 from the American Nurse Credentialing Center: http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Magnet/ProgramOverview/ForcesofMagnetism.aspxChaffee, M., Leavitt, J., Mason, D. (2007). Policy and Politics in Nursing and Health Care. St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.Russell, J. (2010).Travel to Magnet: Costs vs. benefits. Nursing economics$, 28(5):340-342