The Magnet Recognition Program® and the Pathway to Excellence® program of the American Nurses Credentialing Center are not only designed to improve the working conditions of nurses, but also to elevate nursing as a profession and ultimately increase quality, safety, and outcomes for patients. There is much overlap in the programs but the Magnet Recognition Program® specifically addresses outcomes and the Pathway to Excellence® program specifically addresses the well-being of nurses.

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Numerous expected competencies of a chief nursing officer are outlined in this article including communication, ability to build relationships, expertise about the environment of healthcare and its future directions, leadership, expertise in business matters, combating bullying, encouraging shared decision making, and optimizing interdisciplinary teams and the use of advanced practice providers. These skills are also expected of most other healthcare executives, whether or not they are nurses, because using these competencies increases quality, safety, and value for the patients and improves conditions for the healthcare organization and those who work there.

Magnet recognition has value that benefits patients; nurses, physicians, and other providers; the healthcare organization; and the community. This includes not only better job satisfaction, more empowerment, and less turnover for nurses, but also better outcomes for patients, more research and evidence-based practice, a superior reputation for the organization, and an easier time recruiting for the organization.