Clinical Nurse Sarah Olaya speaks with a patient.
On November 23, 2020, Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) attained Magnet recognition for the second time, a testament to our continued dedication to high-quality nursing practice. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes healthcare organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. This credential is the highest national honor for professional nursing practice, and only about 8 percent of hospitals nationally carry this designation.
“This is a recognition of the entire nursing staff at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Nursing is critical for us, particularly in our dedication to collaboration and teamwork in our mission to help patients with cancer,” said Craig B. Thompson, MD, President and CEO of MSK. Referring to the pandemic, Dr. Thompson continued, “[Our nurses] have risen to the occasion, and COVID-19 was the demonstration of the extraordinary strength of every nurse in the entire organization.”
Fittingly, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated 2020 the “International Year of the Nurse.” Throughout this challenging year, MSK nurses showcased the vital and powerful role nurses play in MSK patients’ lives every day. They stayed committed to our mission of providing safe and exceptional care, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
MSK received 12 exemplars as part of its second Magnet recognition, five more than the record-breaking seven it received in 2016 when MSK was first designated as a Magnet hospital. “Exemplars” are specific examples of what makes MSK nurses so extraordinary. Given their number and range this year, the exemplars paint a compelling portrait of remarkable skill, compassion, and grace under pressure, with a focus on leadership, evidence-based practice, and mentorship.
“I am honored and privileged to have led our extraordinary Nursing Department as we achieved this recognition for the second time,” said Elizabeth McCormick, RN, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer. “Although this designation recognizes nursing excellence, it requires the entire MSK community. I am very thankful to everyone at MSK for their unwavering support in helping us reach this goal and show the world what we’ve known for a long time — that MSK nurses are in a class by themselves.”
Cortney Miller, nursing specialist, Magnet Program and Nurse Engagement, who was involved with the Magnet re-designation process, poignantly said, “MSK nurses are the glue, the engine, and the soul of MSK.”
