Magnet: it’s not just the object holding your kindergartner’s artwork to the fridge, it’s a highly sought-after accomplishment in the world of nursing. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)’s Magnet Recognition Program® is the international symbol of nursing excellence in health care. For a hospital to receive Magnet designation, it has to demonstrate the highest level of performance in five different categories. UPMC Passavant, located in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh, is one of nine UPMC hospitals to have received this distinguished honor.

Magnet Recognition is a badge that UPMC Passavant wears with pride — not just for the title, but for what it means to the nurses who proudly call it home. We asked some of our UPMC Passavant nurses to describe in their own words how their hospital lives up to the five pillars of Magnet status. After all, they’re the ones who make it all possible.


1. Transformational Leadership

“What Passavant has given me is ongoing mentoring, the opportunity to network through the system, and now the opportunity to mentor other nurses. Our CNO has really nurtured the nurses and made us feel important. We’re held in high regard, and we’re brought to the table when projects are being developed. That’s what being Magnet means.”

Katie F., Informatics Nurse I

2. Structural Empowerment

“Magnet emphasizes nurses making decisions that impact their experience and the experience patients have. It’s really important that we’re given the autonomy and the opportunities to do that, because the nurses at the bedside really are the ones who have the most understanding of what the patients need. Allowing us to participate in that decision-making is important, and we do that a lot here.”

– Mpande M., Senior Clinician

2. Structural Empowerment

“Magnet emphasizes nurses making decisions that impact their experience and the experience patients have. It’s really important that we’re given the autonomy and the opportunities to do that, because the nurses at the bedside really are the ones who have the most understanding of what the patients need. Allowing us to participate in that decision-making is important, and we do that a lot here.”

– Mpande M., Senior Clinician

3. Exemplary Professional Practice

“I came here to Passavant for my master’s degree clinical, and the first day that I came here I just fell in love. I thought it was so great: a community hospital feel, but the services we provide here are more than what other community hospitals provide. Being a hub for the north [of Pittsburgh] is really cool. There’s a really wonderful culture here at Passavant that I fell in love with.”

– Zach P., Clinical Education Specialist

4. New Knowledge, Innovation, and Improvements

“We work so hard here. Each department has [standards] that they’re working on, and they’re working on it and striving to do better.”

– Amanda S., Sr. Professional Staff Nurse, BSN

4. New Knowledge, Innovation, and Improvements

“We work so hard here. Each department has [standards] that they’re working on, and they’re working on it and striving to do better.”

– Amanda S., Sr. Professional Staff Nurse, BSN

5. Empirical Quality Results

“I think Magnet just defines the quality patient-centered care that we give here. I think patients know the kind of care they’re going to get here, and the Magnet [status] just helps brand that. It holds us accountable to give that level of care that they’re expecting.”

– Elizabeth D., Sr. Professional Staff Nurse, BSN


Do you want to learn more about the amazing nurses of UPMC Passavant and explore opportunities to join our team?