The nursing model of care was developed by SKMC nurses based on the theory of transcultural nursing (Madeleine Leininger), which focuses on the differences and similarities of the beliefs and values of cultures in order to provide appropriate and beneficial health care to people.
The nursing model of care gives nurses the responsibility and authority for the provision of patient care. It identifies nurses as being accountable for their own practice and coordinators of the care they provide. It also identifies the components and aspects of nursing that are significant to the nurses and the organization, which are:
- The patient and patient’s family
- Cultural diversity and sensitivity
- Respect, safety, privacy
- Caring environment
- Effective communication
- Collegiality and teamwork
- Quality patient care
- Shared Governance
- Education and research, including evidence based practice
- Nursing expertise, knowledge and skills
Taking into account the enormous cultural diversity of SKMC’s patient population, the provision of care must be, and is, provided within a holistic and culturally responsive model.
The process of becoming a Magnet organization is as important as the achievement of Magnet status. The Magnet journey takes a number of years and needs to be seen as a long term commitment to ongoing excellence in the provision of care in order to improve patient outcomes. To fully integrate the Magnet principles into everyday practice and the culture of the organization full commitment at all levels within the organization is required.
Nursing Services at SKMC commenced the journey to Magnet recognition in 2007 and is working to a planned timeframe to make application for recognition in 2011. During this time involvement of hospital leadership and the wider community of health professionals, not just nursing, at SKMC will help ensure the successful recognition of SKMC as a Magnet hospital.
Magnet hospitals share certain organizational features of excellence that serve to promote and sustain professional nursing practice. These features relate to administration, professional practice and professional development. The ability of Magnet hospitals to retain nursing staff is estimated to produce substantial savings for hospitals in relation to recruitment and related costs. The organizational characteristics that attract nurses to Magnet hospitals have also been found to be consistently and significantly associated with better patient outcomes than those of matched non-Magnet hospitals.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) manages the certification program for Magnet recognition.