It’s a proud day for University Health System today. The nursing staff at the hospital and clinics has been awarded a designation that’s only been earned by five percent of hospitals in the country.
Nurses are an important part of the glue holding hospitals together. More than 900 full-time nurses at University Hospital are ‘hand on’ with the patients, serving as their advocates and helping in the healing.
“Nurses never get recognized as heroes,” commented Nancy Ray, RN, chief nursing officer at University Hospital. “But what they do every day is hero work.”
The nursing staff at University Health System has been honored by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet status, a symbol of excellence in the field. The news sent a wave of excitement through the staff. It was a day they’ve worked toward for the past six years.
“As we enter an era that gets more and more difficult to recruit top quality nurses, I think this is going to tell people this is a great place to work,” said George Hernandez, president and CEO of University Health System.
Magnet status means that nurses have input in the way the hospital runs. They are encouraged in furthering their education. They help make sure best practices are followed.
Ray says that’s good for patients. “It says that no matter where you go in our system, you will receive the same standard of excellence,” she stressed.
Only 24 hospitals in Texas have earned the nursing magnet designation. University Health System is the first in San Antonio to secure it.
