Virginia Beach, VA – November 17, 2008 –  Sentara Norfolk General Hospital has achieved Magnet designation. Magnet designation recognizes excellence in nursing and teamwork among all hospital staff. Everyone at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital contributed to earning this national honor.

Sentara Norfolk General Hospital is the first hospital in southeastern Virginia to receive Magnet. Less than 5% of U.S. Hospitals have earned this award from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Attaining the Magnet credential required submission of written evidence that Sentara Norfolk General Hospital met 164 standards of the Magnet program, followed by a three-day site visit during which three appraisers interviewed hundreds of nurses and talked with patients, physicians and other staff to verify the accuracy of the written evidence.

In addition to clarifying evidence, the appraisers who visited Sentara Norfolk General Hospital noted five Exemplars in which the hospital exceeded requirements for Magnet, including:

• Culture of Safety
• Community Service
• Teamwork
• Nurses as Teachers
• Ethical decision making