The ANCC Magnet Prize recognizes extraordinary innovations that transform work environments. This award serves as a means for acknowledging peak performance within credentialed Magnet organizations. The Magnet Prize recognizes cutting-edge research, practices, services, technologies, programs, or other exemplary innovations with demonstrable positive outcomes.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Prize™, co-sponsored by the Cerner Corp., recognizes extraordinary, transformative innovations. This award serves as a means for acknowledging peak performance within credentialed Magnet organizations. The Magnet Prize recognizes cutting-edge research, practices, services, technologies, programs, or other exemplary innovations with positive outcomes that have been demonstrated over time.

Cerner Corp., a leading supplier of healthcare information technology, wants to encourage cutting-edge nursing programs and practices by sponsoring the $25,000 purse attached to the Magnet Prize. The prize money should be used to continue, advance, or disseminate the innovation that was selected for the Magnet Prize, which includes attendance at continuing education programs and conferences to extend the knowledge of nurses involved with the innovation.

General Information

To further encourage the pursuit of excellence, ANCC's Board of Directors established the Magnet Prize, awarded only to Magnet-designated organizations. The award serves as a means for acknowledging peak performance. In many ways the word "Magnet" has become a philosophy and a symbol within the nursing profession for transforming work environments, for continuous pursuit of the best that we can be. Magnet designation, therefore, is not the apex, it is not static, and it is not unit-based. It is an institution-wide commitment to a culture within which excellence flourishes.

This award recognizes cutting-edge research, practices, services, technologies, programs, or other exemplary innovations with demonstrable positive outcomes. To preserve the nature of ANCC's Magnet Prize, it will be awarded only in response to unsolicited nominations.

Magnet Prize Criteria

• The Magnet Prize is awarded only to Magnet organizations.
• The Magnet Prize will be awarded for exemplary, extraordinary innovative nursing activities that have been sustained over an extended period of time.
• Innovations awarded must be beyond the scope of the innovations that are characteristic of Magnet organizations.
• Positive outcomes have been demonstrated and empirically linked to the innovation.

Application Process

Download the Application Form

• Specific instructions on the preparation of the nomination and supplemental material are described on the nomination form.
• Applications for the Magnet Prize may be submitted by representatives of Magnet organizations, as well as entities or individuals who are aware of the exemplary, extraordinarily innovative nursing activity in a Magnet-designated organization.
• Applications not resulting in the receipt of ANCC's Magnet Prize may be re-submitted; however, applications resulting in an award of the Magnet Prize may not be re-submitted.
• Winners will be notified of a decision by May 15.
• There are no entry fees. Regardless of size, setting or location, all Magnet-designated organizations may submit an application for the Magnet Prize.

Closing Date for Submissions

• Nomination submissions and supporting documents may be submitted throughout the year, but must be received by ANCC's Magnet Prize Committee before 4:00 pm EDT on February 19, 2010 for consideration in 2010. Faxed and/or e-mailed submissions will not be accepted.

The Award

The Magnet Prize will be presented during the National Magnet Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, October 13-15, 2010. ANCC will provide transportation, housing, and meeting registration for two of the award winners to attend. Award recipients will be asked to deliver a formal paper on the innovation at the conference.

Rules of the Award

• Nominations will not be accepted from organizations scheduled for Magnet Recognition renewal between February 19 and the 2010 Magnet Conference.
• Only one nomination will be accepted each year from a given Magnet organization.
• The ANCC Magnet Prize Committee shall consider all submitted applications properly made and material submitted with or in support thereof.
• Material submitted with or in support of any application shall be received on the conditions that:
  • The Magnet Prize Committee shall not return such material or any portion thereof to the nominee or the nominators.
  • The Magnet Prize Committee may make such disclosure of the names of the nominees and the nominators and of the innovation disclosed in such material as the committee deems appropriate.
  • No claim shall be made and no action shall be brought against the American Nurses Credentialing Center, its Board of Directors, employees, or members of the Magnet Prize Committee arising out of the use made of such application material or of any such disclosure.
  • The applicant warrants that disclosure of material submitted with or in support does not breach the terms of any other contract or agreements, that the applicant is entitled to use the material, and that if any permissions are needed to use the material, the applicant has obtained those permissions.
• At the discretion of the Magnet Prize Committee, applications made in any year may be carried forward to following years. Applicants may be requested to provide updated information.
• The decision of the Magnet Prize Committee is final. If in the opinion of the Magnet Prize Committee there are no applications considered suitable during a given year, no Magnet Prize shall be awarded.
• Each representative submitting a nomination must sign the prescribed Magnet Prize Application Form which will constitute his/her agreement to be bound by the Rules of the Magnet Prize, and which must be attached to the material submitted with or in support of any nomination.

Should Your Magnet Organization Apply?

If you answer "yes" to most of the following questions, you are strongly encouraged to apply for ANCC's Magnet Prize:

• Does the innovation benefit nursing?
• Does the innovation show a fair degree of intellectual achievement or quality of thinking?
• Has the innovation been fully thought through, developed and tested?
• Is the innovation unique and/or original?
• Does the innovation have demonstrated results?
• Can the innovation be replicated by others?

Please direct any questions to the American Nurses Credentialing Center at 301-628-5254.