Magnet Aligned Accomplishments

• Shared Decision Making - Sparrow hospital currently has 40 Unit Based Councils (UBC) chaired by and representing staff RNs. Staff nurses also make up the majority membership of our overall nursing councils governing matters such as nursing education, quality and practice. Unit representatives also serve on many nursing committees - policy and procedures, documentation, etc.
• Monthly “Nurse Enrichment Day” programs – Lunch hour program featuring speakers and topics of value to nurses. Nursing Education Contact hour awarded to attendees.

Quick Links: Journey to Magnet Nursing Magnet Resources Magnet Aligned Accomplishments

• Email accounts – All Sparrow nurses are given their own email account upon employment and encouraged to use on-line resources
• Nursing Bylaws – A set of guidelines created by Sparrow nurses that govern their practice and shared decision-making structure.
• Certification reimbursement – This certification reimbursement program was created to encourage professional development in nursing specialties.
• Annual State of Nursing Event - The Bylaws are reviewed and changes voted upon at the annual "State of Nursing." All Sparrow RN’s are invited to this special event that celebrates accomplishments of the nursing staff and is attended by Sparrow leadership, including our Chief Executive Officer.
• “Every Nurse is Leader” - This is the catchphrase created by Sparrow Nurses exemplifying how they feel about their practice. In our Shared Decision Making Structure, every nurse is a leader!
• Yearly RN Satisfaction Survey – Every May Sparrow RNs are encouraged to voice their opinion through the "RN Satisfaction Survey" sponsored by the NDNQI organization. Data gathered is used to make "action plans" leading to continually raising satisfaction scores.
• Nursing Rounds by Nursing Leadership – 9:00 am to 10:00 am is declared a "no meeting time" by Sparrow's Nursing Leadership so they may round on patient units and connect with staff.
• Special RN Badges – We want our patients to be able to identify the RN caring for them. All Sparrow RNs receive a special badge upon completion of their orientation program. The badge is worn in addition to the standard employee I.D. badge, and clearly identifies its wearer as an RN.
• N.U.R.S.E. Magazine – The official magazine by and for Sparrow Nurses. Published bi-annually, it reviews the accomplishments and current work and other news of Sparrow Nursing Staff.
• The Patient Education TV system – Sparrow nurses were instrumental in the creation of this hospital wide TV system allowing patients to select and view educational videos at their convenience.
• Strategic Planning Retreat – An annual off-campus retreat allowing nursing staff to hear Sparrow’s yearly strategic plan first hand from Hospital Administration and participate in interactive discussion and team building exercises.
• Sparrow Advertising – Sparrow Nurses spoke up! They wanted to see pictures of real Sparrow Nurses, not models and clip-art, in our advertising and promotional materials. As a result, if you see a picture of a “Sparrow Nurse” it most likely really is a Sparrow Nurse!
• Peer Review – Currently programs are being piloted to encourage positive peer review, allowing nursing staff to receive structured input from their co-workers to improve their practice.
• Open Forums and emails from our Chief Nurse Officer – Our Chief Nurse Officer hosts bi-monthly round-table forums allowing staff members to voice concerns, discuss issues and offer ideas.
• Nursing Research – Sparrow nurses are primary investigators in 10 nursing research studies.
• Bi-Annual "Shared Decision Making" forums - Highly rated forums created by Unit Based Council Chairs for the purpose of strengthening the Shared Decision Making process.
• Selection of the Transformational Model for Professional Practice.

These are only some of the accomplishments coming from our professional nursing staff. If you would like to learn more, please call 517.364.5344.