Advancing excellence together: Hoag Memorial Hospital’s Magnet® journey

Achieving Magnet Recognition® is one of the highest honors a hospital can earn, reflecting a steadfast commitment to nursing excellence and quality patient care. The path to Magnet is more than a checklist — it’s a journey grounded in evidence-based practice, transformational leadership, and a culture that empowers nurses at every stage.

Hoag Memorial Hospital offers a compelling example of what’s possible when nurse leaders and bedside nurses unite around a shared vision, elevating care standards, advancing patient outcomes, and weaving the Magnet Model into the fabric of daily practice. This is a story about perseverance, collaboration, and the courage to innovate — not for recognition alone, but for the enduring benefit of care teams and communities. At Elsevier, we’re honored to partner with organizations like Hoag, supporting nurse leaders as they build cultures of empowerment and resilience. What follows is both a record of achievement and an invitation to imagine what’s possible when we advance human progress, together.

The Magnet journey: Aspirations and first steps

Hoag Memorial Hospital has consistently earned Magnet Recognition since 2005 by demonstrating excellence through a resilient and well-established nursing framework. For Hoag’s nurse leaders, the journey is rooted in a commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous professional development, cornerstones that support both clinical quality and staff growth.

Magnet is the most prestigious recognition a hospital can obtain based on nursing excellence," says Kim Mullen, MSN, RN, Director for Nursing Professional Development and Magnet Program Director. “We knew that was something we really wanted to strive for. It’s about creating great patient care outcomes and fostering a culture of excellence.

Meeting Magnet standards requires aligning diverse teams with rigorous expectations while building a strong culture of accountability and collaboration. And although Magnet criteria are closely tied to nursing, Hoag recognizes that the journey is organizational at its core, integrating interprofessional teams to create optimal outcomes for every patient.

Building blocks of excellence, culture, empowerment and evidence-based practice

At the heart of Hoag’s Magnet journey is a deeply rooted culture of empowerment and accountability. Nursing leaders have intentionally built structures that allow nurses to shape their practice, advocate for patients, and advance their careers. Shared governance is a value embedded in daily life at Hoag. Kim Mullen, MSN, RN, assisted with the implementation of shared governance councils on individual units and across the nursing organization. “We have what’s called a Nursing Practice Council, where a representative from every unit contributes input any time we change policies or develop new policies, giving nurses the opportunity to review and validate,” said Mullen. Professional development is woven into the fabric of Hoag’s approach. From generous tuition reimbursement to community-funded scholarships, nurses are encouraged to continue their education and pursue specialty certifications. Hoag’s commitment shines through in tangible ways, whether providing a clinical ladder for advancement or supporting the pursuit of specialty credentials with recognition and practical incentives.

Evidence-based practice forms the backbone of clinical quality. Hoag’s nursing teams rely on the latest research and resources, such as Elsevier's clinical nursing solutions, to standardize care and continuously drive improvement. As Kim notes, “All our policies and procedures are built on evidence-based practice.” This focus on empowering nurses to innovate, collaborate, and lead strengthens clinical practice, and creates a culture where every team member feels valued and equipped to deliver their best.

Sustaining momentum and persevering through challenges

Achieving and maintaining Magnet Recognition is never easy. As Kim Mullen, MSN, RN, candidly reflected, “To be honest, the document process is challenging, no matter how experienced you are at working on Magnet. My advice is to start sooner rather than later. The later you start, the more stressful it can be. Stay with it and keep going. Think about the Magnet goal all the time.” For Hoag, applying for Magnet is a continuous, multidisciplinary journey — not a one-time project, but an ongoing pursuit of excellence. The first step for leadership is a thoughtful review of the Magnet manual and identifying supporting stories for each required document. Magnet requirements are always evolving, challenging nurse leaders to adapt and stay informed. Rather than using a dedicated writing team, Hoag’s nurse leaders and staff collaborate directly, sharing their experiences and expertise to ensure every document meets the highest standards. “It is a true team effort where we collaborate across departments and nursing roles to create the documents and make them perfect. It’s a big endeavor,” Kim explained. While precise documentation and evidence gathering are essential for a successful submission, they also help to sustain accountability and improvement across the organization. “Keep everything in writing and follow up with an email,” Kim advises. Throughout this journey, moments of stress and uncertainty are balanced by pride and satisfaction as hard work comes together. The process is demanding, yet every challenge is an opportunity for shared growth and a testament to Hoag’s culture of perseverance, adaptability, and continuous improvement.

Impact and outcomes: The ripple effect of Magnet Recognition

The impact of Magnet Recognition at Hoag reaches every corner of the organization. It’s reflected in exceptional nurse retention, strong clinical outcomes, and a daily culture where advancement and support go hand in hand.

At Hoag, professional development is a benefit and pillar of their Magnet journey. The hospital’s supportive culture and extensive advancement opportunities ensure nurses at every level feel valued and prepared to deliver the highest standard of care. Hoag hires nurses with a range of credentials including ADN, BSN, and MSN, while surpassing Magnet’s 80% BSN workforce requirement with an impressive 90% BSN rate — thanks to robust professional growth programs. This spirit of advancement reaches all team members. Patient care assistants and emergency care technicians can tap into tuition reimbursement and scholarship programs, opening pathways to become registered nurses. As Kim Mullen shares, “I advocate for every hospital to consider what you can offer, because it really helps the move into nursing if you’ve worked in the organization as support staff. Your transition is so much smoother.” This supportive track also builds a strong, cohesive team. Hoag recognizes and celebrates specialty certification as a milestone of skill and pride. Nurses are supported with paid exam fees, ongoing assistance for renewals, and, as a special touch, are honored with a personalized Hoag jacket featuring their name and certification embroidered on it. This tradition reinforces a culture of recognition and respect. For those seeking alternative ways to advance, Hoag’s clinical ladder program empowers nurses to contribute to hospital-wide improvements and align their work with strategic priorities, all while progressing in their careers. These organizational commitments yield measurable results including reduced turnover, fewer medication errors, and a stable, satisfied workforce. “Our turnover rate was 9% in June, way below the national average. Hoag was rated by Nurse Journal as the best place to work for nurses for the last two years,” Kim notes. Ultimately, Magnet Recognition at Hoag has sparked a ripple effect, elevating nurse satisfaction, strengthening patient care, and inspiring lasting pride throughout the organization. By investing in its people, Hoag ensures that excellence is not just recognized but truly lived, every day.

Elsevier’s role as a trusted partner

Throughout Hoag’s Magnet journey, partnership and trusted resources play a vital role in empowering nurse leaders and supporting evidence-based care. Elsevier is proud to stand alongside organizations like Hoag, providing clinical nursing solutions that strengthen confidence and deliver critical insights. Elsevier’s clinical nursing solutions are designed to buildnurse readiness, streamline daily workflows, integrate best practice procedures, and deliver current clinicalinformation right at the point of need. These tools also support patient engagement by offering tailored education,enabling patients to actively participate in their care and contributing to improved patient outcomes. Kim Mullen shared, “Elsevier is our go-to when looking at the latest evidence.” By ensuring nurses have instant access to current knowledge and guidance, Hoag has created an environment where clinical decisions are rooted in best practice and innovation thrives. Through these resources, Elsevier supports organizations on the path to excellence by simplifying workflows, enhancing knowledge, and helping nurses meet the high expectations set by Magnet Recognition.

Elsevier’s partnership is an enabler of better outcomes, innovation, and resilience. By providing technology and content tailored to the evolving needs of nurse leaders, Elsevier helps organizations sustain a culture of excellence and supports their ongoing journey toward Magnet Recognition.

Together, we are advancing human progress, helping organizations like Hoag realize their vision for empowered nurses and inspired care.

Looking forward: A Magnet culture of continuous improvement

Hoag Memorial Hospital’s journey demonstrates that Magnet Recognition is far more than a destination. It is a living, continuous commitment to excellence, professional growth, and collaborative care. By empowering nurse leaders, fostering evidence-based practice, and cultivating an environment where every team member is valued, Hoag has set a powerful example for organizations across the country.

Their story is a testament to what’s possible when nurse leaders, clinical teams, and trusted partners work together toward a common vision.