Nurses in the Spotlight: Magnet Champions Site Visit Team
From Sept. 22–24, Cook Children’s proudly welcomed three Magnet® appraisers for our fifth site visit, a monumental milestone reflecting nearly two decades of nursing excellence, innovation, and compassion. The visit was a resounding success, made possible by the extraordinary collaboration of our Magnet Champion Team and the dedication of nurses across all units and departments.
Many, many thanks to all who participated including clinical nurses during meals and unit tours, nursing and executive leaders and our many partners in care! High-five to you all, your emphatic support of our journey toward a fifth designation is so appreciated.
Special recognition goes to the Magnet Champion team, a group of nurses in various roles across the medical center, who had been preparing for this day for many months. Several of the Magnet Champions devoted their time to being on campus and with the appraisers all three days! The site visit Magnet Champion team members included:
- Kia McCoy, TCU/RCU, Magnet Champion Co-Chair
- Ashley Chreene, 4P_EMU, Magnet Champion Co-Chair
- Randi Woods, Prep Recovery, Magnet Champion Secretary
- Katelyn Terry, PICU
- Jasmine Riles, 6 Main
- Tara Drake, Neurology Clinic
- Cortlyn McDougal, PACU
- Megan Graichen-Pearson, Process Improvement
- Brianna Studer, 3 Pavilion
- Jordan Staggs, 5ST
- Cheryl Craycraft, Clinical Collaborative
- Nancy Russell, Clinical Collaborative
- Eden Craine, Pediatric Surgery Clinic
- Ora Asheton, Center for Nursing Excellence
- Kaylan Branson, Center for Nursing Excellence
This dedicated group of nurses spent three long and busy days ensuring our site visit was executed smoothly. This team did everything from decorating the medical center to preparing documents, escorting appraisers through unit tours, taking notes, and fetching hot chocolate!
The team's success can be attributed not only to the nurses' tireless commitment to ensuring nursing excellence, as demonstrated during the visit, but also to the wide range of nursing roles and experience reflected in the team. One member, Nancy Russell, brought knowledge from all four of our past site visits, being the most experienced Magnet Champion team member. Team member Cortlyn McDougal, one of the newest members to the Magnet team, brought fresh eyes and enthusiasm to the team, which was much appreciated.
Other team members, such as Katelyn, Jasmine, Brianna, and Jordan, formed meaningful connections with our appraisers and helped demonstrate how our nurses not only excel in patient care but also as leaders and innovators.
Kia, Ashley, and Randi were exceptional leaders of our Magnet Champion team during the site visit, ensuring no detail was missed.
Tara and Eden’s unique experience as ambulatory care nurses helped the appraisers connect with a large population of our nursing staff and brought valuable knowledge and experiences that contributed to creating our well-rounded team.
Megan and Cheryl’s all-hands-on-deck mentality ensured that no task was missed, while balancing significant professional development milestones of their own, they stepped in wherever needed and shone as elite Magnet Champions!
Ora and Kaylan’s months of preparation and vision for the site visit were flawlessly executed by this amazing team. During the last day of the site visit, the appraisers had the opportunity to sit down with the Magnet Champion site visit team and a few of our Magnet Champions. While the appraisers noted that they already felt they had gained many insights from the Magnet Champions, they also praised them for being the backbone of our Magnet culture at Cook Children’s that embodies nursing excellence through leadership and exemplary practice.
On average, it takes about two months for the commission on Magnet to deliver a decision regarding re-designation, so stay tuned for more updates to come.