Healthcare Industry Faces Magnet^® Reporting Headwinds

Achieving and maintaining Magnet^®designation is a prestigious milestone for healthcare organizations nationwide, but the reporting process often poses a major administrative hurdle.

Many hospitals still rely on outdated paper-based or spreadsheet-driven systems, which create inefficiencies, increase compliance risks, and demand excessive time from both leadership and staff. Without centralized tracking, leaders are often forced to work with outdated or incomplete data on the status of their workforce, increasing the risk of non-compliance and jeopardizing Magnet^® status.

With retention, accreditation, and workforce development on the line, many healthcare organizations are pursuing a smarter way to manage Magnet^® reporting.

The Solution: A SinglePlatform to Manage Workforce Data

A centralized, digital solution eliminates these inefficiencies by automating tracking, simplifying compliance, and ensuring real-time visibility into key workforce metrics.

Instead of manually compiling data across multiple sources, hospitals can manage everything in one centralized system. The platform ensures real-time visibility into key workforce metrics, such as education levels, certifications, and professional development activities.

Leaders can instantly generate reports, track trends, and export data in the required formats—reducing administrative workload while improving accuracy.

How StaffGarden SupportsMagnet^® Designation

StaffGarden is a centralized, digital platform to store and update workforce data in realtime, accessible from any device, anytime. This single-source platform simplifies tracking of key metrics like education levels, certifications, and professional development activities for ongoing compliance.

When it comes time to report for Magnet^®and other accrediting or auditing bodies, leaders can export anything they need with just one click.

With over 70 pre-built reports, hundreds of configurable filters, and custom report-building capabilities, StaffGarden makes reporting seamless and scalable. Key features include:

• Automated Tracking: Workforce development data is continuously updated, eliminating manual entry errors.
• Configurable Dashboards: Leaders can easily track compliance with reports tailored to their organization’s needs.
• Manager Insights: Reports like "My Downline" allow managers to oversee staff progress at a glance.
• DDCT Compliance: Magnet^®-required data can be exported as an XML file and uploaded directly to the DDCT collection tool.

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Proof in Action: Magnet with Distinction^® at Leading Hospitals

Healthcare organizations using StaffGarden have seen dramatic improvements in Magnet^® reporting efficiency and compliance.With a centralized platform, leadership can gain immediate, real-time insight into workforce metrics, ensuring compliance while also strengthening professional development initiatives.

As the Clinical Coordinator for Nursing Services at Peterson Health, Lori Michel manages the intersection between clinical practice and program administration. WithStaffGarden, Lori now has “the ability to see at a glance how many nurses are leveling, applying, which nurses have BSNs, certifications, etc. using the e-portfolio and resume functions within StaffGarden.”

Lori finds StaffGarden’s digital system is“useful for Magnet^® reporting, since we’re able to show an increase in BSNs, certifications, and points to encourage nurses to fulfillMagnet^® criteria right on the webpage."

Scalability is a critical advantage—StaffGarden supports not just leadership but the entire nursing workforce by ensuring career progression is recognized and tracked.

Because it covers all nursing roles, hospitals can confidently account for large populations in their compliance metrics. As organizations expand, theStaffGarden platform scales alongside them, making Magnet^® reporting easier across multiple departments.

Carol Gabala, System Director forNursing Practice and Professional Development at Bon Secours Mercy Health, overseesMagnet^® recognition for the organization.

She uses StaffGarden to “access rich data,” because “synergy systemwide correlating to improvements was big for me and for the CNOs... Being able to tie recruitment and retention into a digital platform was now going to give us that in great detail."

By simplifying reporting and tracking, hospitals are better positioned to address key challenges like turnover and staff satisfaction. A data-driven approach to Magnet compliance ensures that nursing excellence is not just maintained but continuously strengthened.

Magnet with Distinction^®

 The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) awards Magnet with Distinction^® to “recognize top-tier organizations that have achieved the highest level of nursing excellence while addressing emerging challenges and changes in health care moving forward.”

StaffGarden supports several hospitals exceeding the scoring thresholds required to attain Magnet^® designation. These include:

·      GoshenHospital, Goshen, IN (May 2024)

·      NorthBayHealth, Fairfield, CA (September 2024)|

·      Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA (December 2024)

The Bigger Picture

Beyond compliance, StaffGarden supports broader workforce retention and professional development initiatives. By digitizing Magnet reporting, hospitals can ensure consistency across departments, increase engagement, and reduce turnover. A streamlined reporting process frees up valuable time, allowing leaders to focus on building a stronger, more resilient nursing workforce.

Magnet^® designation is within reach with modern digital solutions.Discover how StaffGarden can transform your Magnet^® reporting—reserve a personalized demo today, or explore more workforce management solutions with our digital clinical ladder and digital competency.

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