Exploring the feasibility of the Magnet Hospital concept within a European university nursing department: a mixed-methods study

Background: Human resource management in hospitals has become increasingly challenging. Nursing staff are a major asset in achieving the quality and safety objectives of health care institutions. The concept of Magnet Hospitals seeks to promote a positive work environment. Despite knowledge of the Magnet Hospital concept, the reasons for the lack of applying the concept within Belgian nursing departments is matter for debate.

Objectives/ aims/ hypotheses: : The aim was to explore whether Magnet Hospital principles and values were applicable to a nursing department within a Belgian University Hospital Centre.

Design: A mixed methods approach involving both qualitative and quantitative methodology was adopted.

Methods: Data were collected across two sites of a University Hospital. For the quantitative phase, a magnetism measurement questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of nurses from both sites using email and the hospital intranet. For the qualitative phase, a convenience sample of head nurses from across the two sites were recruited by email and agreed to attend interviews.

Results: For the quantitative phase, scores obtained show a limited magnetism among the nurses (n = 224). Out of the 18 sub-dimensions, seven appear to be underdeveloped (score <50) compared to two developed (score> 75). The qualitative phase showed nine facilitators, nine barriers, and seven neutral constructs among surveyed head nurses (n = 17). These demonstrate a marked interest in the concept, but constraints put forward imply that establishment of the concept would be premature or at least quite difficult within the institution.

Conclusions: Despite interest toward the concept, the implementation of Magnet Hospital within nursing departments currently seems difficult. However, these results shed light upon managerial, organisational, and scientific issues involved in using the concept of the Magnet Hospital within European hospitals.

Impact statement: Communication, unit management strategy and transition of human resource management, through a more human and less administrative approach, are essential for Magnet Hospital implementation.