Magnet designation: A communiqué to the profession and the public about nursing excellence.

Achieving Magnet designation by health care institutions is gaining momentum, both nationally and internationally. The impetus behind the Magnet movement is its sole focus on nursing care services. Hence, imbedded in the Magnet designation is the concept of the recognition of nursing services reaching a high level of excellence. Research conducted during the last 2 decades provides evidence that Magnet recognition has been a successful organizational reform that holds promise to shape patient care quality in all types of health care institutions.