Cook Children’s Receives Fourth Consecutive Magnet Designation for Nursing Excellence

Cook Children’s Medical Center achieved its fourth consecutive Magnet^® designation from the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC), making it one of only 10 freestanding children’s hospitals in the world to receive this prestigious recognition four times in a row.

The Magnet^® Recognition Program is the gold standard in nursing excellence and validation of high quality patient outcomes. Research shows Magnet^® hospitals have increased patient satisfaction, decreased length of hospitalizations, and lower mortality rates, as well as above average nurse-satisfaction and retention rates.

“This recognition is another example of the incredible culture of excellence at Cook Children’s,” said Nancy Cychol, chief of hospital services and affiliate ventures at Cook Children’s Medical Center. “Our nurses go above and beyond every day to elevate the experience for our patients, families, and staff.”

Only 8% of the approximately 6,000 hospitals in the U.S. are Magnet^® designated. Cook Children’s is the first freestanding children’s hospital in North Texas to receive its fourth consecutive designation. Fewer than 1% of hospitals receive Magnet^® recognition four times in a row, ranking Cook Children’s among an elite group of high performing medical centers. Hospitals must re-apply for the designation every four years. Cook Children’s has been recognized consistently since 2006.

Consideration for Magnet^®  designation is a rigorous process, which included providing more than 100 examples of nursing excellence at Cook Children’s, participation from nursing staff across nearly 70 departments, as well as an onsite visit, which was virtual due to COVID-19. Evaluators were particularly impressed with Cook Children’s highly competitive nurse residency program, outpatient clinics, and Heart Center.

“It’s important to realize that every single example of nursing excellence provided to the ANCC was above the call of duty. These were programs, processes, and curriculum developed by nurses to move the needle on quality and safety outcomes,” said Cheryl Petersen, chief nursing officer at Cook Children’s. “This is what sets Magnet^® hospitals apart from other hospitals. It is acknowledgment of forward-thinking innovation, research, and high-level training. We are so proud of what our nurses continue to achieve.”