Middlesex Earns Historic Sixth Magnet® Designation

No one ever expects a hospital stay. However, if you find yourself injured on the golf course, or being prepped for surgery at Middlesex Hospital, know that you are in good hands. 

Middlesex Health recently announced that Middlesex Hospital has earned its sixth consecutive nursing Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. 

Magnet® designation means that Middlesex continues to meet the rigorous standards of clinical nursing excellence set by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Less than 20 health organizations worldwide have earned this designation six consecutive times.

Middlesex earned its first Magnet® designation in 2001 and was the first health system in Connecticut and the first community hospital in the country to do so.

Across the country, nurses and their health care systems have faced monumental challenges, including financial stressors, workforce shortages and continued pandemic demands. Despite these challenges, Middlesex Health’s nurses demonstrate unwavering dedication and consistently achieve extraordinary outcomes, exceeding national benchmarks for patient satisfaction, quality care and nurse satisfaction.

“At Middlesex Health, we have built a culture of excellence,” says Kelly Haeckel, Middlesex Health’s chief nursing officer. “As a health system, we are committed to providing our patients — our community — with the best possible care. We also remain committed to providing our nurses with the support and resources they need to be successful and practice with autonomy.”

Middlesex’s Magnet® designation demonstrates the health system’s ongoing commitment to interprofessional collaboration and excellence in patient care. It is a prestigious designation that is earned every four years, and Middlesex must go through a lengthy vetting process before it is deemed a Magnet® organization. The process includes a written application and a site visit, which occurred in December 2023. During the site visit, appraisers met with a variety of individuals, including physicians, interdisciplinary teams, community members and members of the Middlesex Health Patient Family Advisory Council.

“Our Magnet® designation indicates that we’ve provided excellent nursing care for nearly 25 years, and it certainly shows the strength and dedication of our nursing staff. I am very proud of the work that they do,” says Middlesex Health President and CEO Vincent G. Capece, Jr. “However, it is important to note that being a Magnet® organization is a team effort, and it requires our entire staff — our nurses and physicians and others — to work collaboratively to ensure that we are always providing the safest and best care possible. This honor should be celebrated. It truly shows that we are Middlesex strong!”