Demonstrating Nursing Excellence Through Equality: The Relationship Between Magnet® Status and Organizational LGBTQ Client Services and Support

Abstract

Introduction: Human Rights Campaign annually scores health care treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) employees and clients among four measured dimensions in its Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). The purpose of this study was to determine if the score organizations earned on the 2018 HEI dimension measuring LGBTQ client services and support correlated with organizations’ American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet® recognition status, a distinction of nursing excellence. Method: Using a secondary data analysis approach, data obtained from Human Rights Campaign that specifically rated LGBTQ client services and support in 2018 HEI participating organizations (n = 626) were compared with the most recent inventory of American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet health care organizations (n = 477). Results: LGBTQ client services and support HEI scores positively correlated with Magnet status (p = .0002). Discussion: Provision of LGBTQ client services and Magnet recognition is strongly related to higher quality nursing care, suggesting organizations earning Magnet recognition provide more equitable services to its LGBTQ clients.