Learning Objective #1: The learner will be able to describe the characteristics of a Magnet hospital.

Learning Objective #2: The learner will be able to describe how the Forces of Magnetism are used as an organizing framework to support Evidence-Based Practice.

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Implementing a program to support evidence-based practice is a goal of many hospitals world-wide. In the U.S., the Institute of Medicine recently set the goal of moving evidence-based practice among health professionals to 90% by the year 2020. To support this broad agreement about the value of evidence-based practice, many tools are available to aid staff in developing evidence-based practice projects and ensuring their implementation. Less information is available about the organizing framework that enables this implementation to take place.

The 14 Forces of Magnetism as a guiding framework can be used to both drive and support the development of an evidence-based practice program. The Forces are the defining characteristics of Magnet institutions as defined by the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Designation Program. The 14 Forces center on quality leadership and management, autonomous and collaborative nursing professional practice based on evidence, quality assurance and quality improvement, efficient utilization of resources, and life-long continuous learning.

The Forces are characteristics of institutions that value nursing and nursing's contribution to the continuous improvement of patient care and safety. The presence of the Forces in the “DNA” of the organization supports the development, implementation and evaluation of nurse-led initiatives such as evidence-based nursing practice. This presentation details how the 14 Forces frame this implementation of evidence-based practice at an academic medical center using a specific project as an exemplar.