A “magnet” hospital is one that has been recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for nursing excellence. Patients can expect to receive high quality care at magnet organizations. Nurses at magnet hospitals report higher levels of job satisfaction compared to those that do not have the magnet designation. Hospitals benefit from improved patient outcomes and the ability to attract and retain high quality nursing staff. Achieving magnet designation is a rigorous process that requires hospitals to demonstrate excellence in five areas, one of which is evidence-based practice (EBP). EBP is an approach to nursing that integrates nursing research, a nurse’s clinical experience and skill, and patient values when making patient care decisions.

A 450-bed hospital is pursuing magnet designation. To assess the extent to which EBP is integrated into its culture, the Nursing Research and Evidence-based Practice Council conducted a survey of the hospital’s registered nurses. The survey (Gale and Schaffer, 2009) was designed to answer a number of questions related to evidence-based practice and the state of the hospital’s nursing culture.