COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Baylor Scott & White Health – College Station Region, which includes two hospitals and 16 clinics, became the first healthcare system in the Brazos Valley to receive the Magnet® designation of nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the world's largest and most prominent nurse-credentialing organization. This recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and provides patients with confidence that they will receive quality care at these facilities. 

Fewer than 10% of U.S. hospitals, and even fewer regions, have earned this prestigious national honor. The designation involves a rigorous and lengthy process and requires widespread participation from hospital leadership and care team members. It also includes a highly detailed on-site review by ANCC surveyors, who are national nursing experts. Ultimately, the designation goes to organizations where nursing leaders successfully align nursing strategic goals to improve patient experience. 

"Our nurses work tirelessly to make healthcare better for each and every patient we serve," said Jana Elliott, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer, Baylor Scott & White College Station Region. "This designation is a testament to the team's hard work to create an open environment that engages staff, facilitates great ideas and allows us to improve patient outcomes."  

The process rigorously examined more than 90 examples demonstrating transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice and the pursuit of new knowledge, innovation and improvement. 

Appraisers noted exemplary efforts in an impressive 11 areas, including outperforming national benchmarks in several areas of patient care. The team also showed commitment to the community through local efforts such as STOP THE BLEED® education, retention of nursing staff and exceptional leadership demonstrated by encouraging nursing staff to pursue advanced education and certifications across all nursing specialties.

"We are so proud to be the first healthcare system in the area to receive this prestigious distinction," said Jason Jennings, regional president, Baylor Scott & White College Station Region. "We are committed to quality, patient outcome-driven care in support of our mission to serve this community." 

Research demonstrates that Magnet® recognition is beneficial for patients, as well as hospitals and nursing staff, resulting in: 

• Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information. 
• Higher job satisfaction among nurses. 
• Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions. 

"Our teams are at the heart of our ability to provide quality care," Elliott said. "These are expert team members, and we are honored to be a place where they can live out their commitment and calling to serve our community."

# # #

About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform — MyBSWHealth. Through 52 hospitals and more than 1,300 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com