Shannon Graham - Magnet Program Director
1. What does being a "Magnet Hospital" mean for UAB Hospital patients?
Excellence! The goal of the Magnet Program is to recognize those hospitals that continually strive to maintain standards of excellence. Patients and families can be assured that nurses are working constantly to provide quality, evidence-based care with a compassionate touch. We are continually striving to better our patient's lives by improving their outcomes and experiences. Nurses are recognized as leaders in the hospital and have a strong voice in decision making that affects the patients and families. Nursing operates on a patient and family centered care model. This means that we work to involve our patients and their families in the care process.
As Magnet nurses we work to incorporate the latest evidence in our care plans and use that information to improve the quality of care we deliver. Improving our quality, improves our patients lives and that is our mission!
2. How is the bedside nurse involved in achieving Magnet designation?
Nurses are involved in every way! Magnet focuses on the involvement of the bedside nurse in activities such as shared governance, quality improvement and patient satisfaction, evidence-based practice and new innovations, as well as leadership. The bedside nurse is the leader in patient care... having the knowledge and skills to juggle numerous tasks and responsibilities. Part of what makes UAB Magnet and sets us apart from other hospitals is our shared governance system and the involvement of bedside nurses on committees, task forces, and councils. Having the staff nurse involved in the decision making process ensures that priorities such as patient care and quality are addressed. In this manner, bedside nurses play an important role in ensuring our continuing designation as a Magnet Facility.
For the more immediate future, our second re-designation for Magnet status is upon us. We are in the process of gathering data and many of the bedside nurses are involved in this process. In addition, we are "revamping" our unit based Magnet Champions which are comprised of staff nurse representatives from every nursing unit/area. Magnet Champions will help educate, inform, and spread the word about the awesome initiatives and accomplishments that UAB nurses are achieving every day.
3. What are some characteristics of a UAB Nurse?
UAB nurses are exceptional!! They have to exhibit a variety of characteristics depending on the situation....resilient, compassionate, hard working, critical thinkers, leaders, caring, tough, adaptable, friendly.... The list could go on and on! What stands out most to me about UAB Nurses is their ability to connect with the patient and family, to be that anchor and support for them. Our nurses display compassion while at the same time providing quality care.
4. What do you enjoy when you are not working?
I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children! We are very active in karate, dance, and scouts. It always seems like we are on the go go go! We recently got a travel trailer so we have been "camping" more lately. Just short weekend trips for now but we hope to take it on a long trip next summer!! Of course, whenever I get any time to myself, you can find me curled up with a good book!
5. If you could have an endless supply of any food, what would it be?
I would most definitely choose CHOCOLATE!!
Read more about Magnet Nursing at UAB!