A full year after Southeast Missouri Hospital received the prestigious Magnet Nursing Services Recognition Award presented by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the forces of magnetism are still evident at the Hospital.

Nurses at Southeast are noted for Magnet-caliber patient care because of their experience, education and commitment to quality. The Hospital makes a considerable investment in staff education, both in the academic setting and clinical practice. Just one example is Southeast’s unique educational loan program that provides up to $15,000 to an eligible employee. The loan is then “forgiven” for every hour worked at the Hospital after graduation.

Nearly half of Southeast’s nurses are prepared at the bachelor degree level or higher, and 23 percent are certified in their practice specialty. Hospital leadership encourages and supports nurses, as well as staff in other areas, in their professional growth because education mirrors expertise; and that translates into the best possible care at the bedside.

Beyond Magnet

This year, Nursing Services at Southeast is adopting new service standards designed to strengthen the Hospital’s already top-notch customer service. These standards, “First Class Care: Beyond Magnet,” emphasize the personal responsibility each caregiver at Southeast has for providing patients, families and others (including the Southeast staff) with excellent customer service experiences.

Through these redesigned customer service standards that range from attitude and appearance to patient safety and privacy, the goal is to maintain a positive, professional and collaborative work environment that enforces the Hospital’s commitment to providing the highest quality patient care.