Recognition Highlights El Camino Health’s Sustained, Evidence-Based Commitment to Nursing Excellence in the Bay Area
February 4, 2026 - El Camino Health is being recognized for nursing excellence, earning its fifth Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and placing it among the nation’s top hospitals, and a leader worldwide.
"This fifth Magnet® recognition belongs to our nurses and their compassion, professionalism and unwavering commitment to our patient-centered care, day in and day out," said Cheryl Reinking, chief nursing officer at El Camino Health. "At El Camino Health, nurses are trusted leaders, supported in lifelong learning, and empowered to innovate. That commitment allows our nurses to continue setting the standard for personalized, evidence-based care for patients."
The Magnet designation is the highest and most prestigious evidence-based recognition for professional nursing practice. First introduced by the American Academy of Nursing in the early 1980s, Magnet is an evaluation and certification of hospitals with exceptional nursing based on proven standards for leadership, professional practice, innovation, and measurable outcomes for patients.
How the Evaluation is Conducted
To earn Magnet® designation, nurses and the healthcare systems where they work are measured against national benchmarks for excellence in patient care. ANCC considers "14 Forces of Magnetism (FOM)" with five key components:
- Transformational Leadership.
- Structural Empowerment.
- Exemplary Professional Practice.
- New Knowledge, Innovations, & Improvements.
- Empirical Outcomes.
"Magnet recognition is an incredibly rigorous process that evaluates nursing practice, outcomes and innovation at every level of the organization," said Jackie Keane, Magnet program director at El Camino Health. "Achieving this designation five times speaks to the strength of our team and our committed focus on continuous improvement."
El Camino Health data demonstrated superior performance across key patient outcome measures, including catheter-associated urinary tract infections, patient falls, and central line–associated bloodstream infections.
Nurses are surveyed as part of the evaluation by ANCC and El Camino Health nurses appreciated the high-caliber of teams in a positive, highly-engaged work environment.
Proof of Top Nursing in the San Francisco Bay Area
Magnet® recognition dates back to 1983 and originated from a study by nurse researchers who examined nursing shortages and identified practices that helped retain nurses. The research highlighted 41 hospitals that met all the elements shown to attract and retain top nursing talent; El Camino Health was included on this original list. This fifth Magnet® designation places El Camino Health among fewer than 2% of hospitals nationwide to achieve this honor.
In awarding this fifth recognition, the ANCC determined:
- Board Certification: El Camino Health set a goal for 51% of its nursing staff to hold specialty board certification and exceeded that target, with 55.6% of nurses now certified in their specialty.
- Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: Magnet® designation requires that 80% of nurses hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing. El Camino Health exceeded this standard, with 90.1% of its nurses holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Falls with Injury: Maintained fewer patient falls with injury than the national benchmark.
- Door-to-Balloon Time in Heart Attack Patients: El Camino Health’s Mountain View ER consistently outperformed benchmarks, delivering timely treatment that preserved heart muscle and improved survival.
- Cancer Center: All chemo units maintained a 100% record of no extravasation—preventing chemotherapy from leaking outside the vein.
- Patient Experience: All units outperformed benchmarks for treating patients with courtesy and respect.
Continuing Investment in Nurses and Nursing Education
El Camino Health is focused on retaining and advancing its high-quality nurses through the Norma Melchor Nursing Excellence Endowment. This multimillion-dollar investment strengthens the knowledge, skills and professional development of its nursing workforce by:
- Investing in teaching nurses new skills as science advances treatment.
- Analysis of trends to predict future nursing needs and preparing for the future.
- Upskilling nurse leaders on leadership skills.
- Understanding individual goals for advancing their careers and identifying opportunities providing education in nursing specialties.
El Camino Health is committed to continuous improvement and creating a better workplace for its nurses. For example, when staff identified ways to strengthen teamwork, the organization responded with “buddy” systems to support nurses floating between units, helping them acclimate quickly in a welcoming, collaborative environment. Communication among caregivers directly supports patient safety.
American Nursing Credentialing Center
The ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® identifies healthcare organizations that demonstrate excellence in nursing practice, innovation and patient care. Magnet-recognized hospitals are known for lower patient complication rates, higher patient satisfaction and stronger nurse engagement.
Magnet recognition is awarded for a four-year period following a rigorous evaluation process that includes extensive documentation and an on-site review.
About El Camino Health
El Camino Health has served the communities of Silicon Valley and the South Bay for more than 60 years, with nationally recognized physicians and nurses at two not-for-profit acute care hospitals in Los Gatos and Mountain View, and 26 care locations across the region, which includes primary care, multi-specialty care, and urgent care. El Camino Health is dedicated to giving patients high-quality care utilizing the most advanced technology and research. As your healthcare partner of choice, we focus on keeping you healthy and getting you back on your feet when you need it, so you can live your best life.
Key Services Include:
- Cancer care
- Cardiovascular care
- Maternity care
- Mental health and addiction services
- Orthopedics
- Pulmonology
- Urology
Women's Health Awards & Achievements:
- Named one of the World's Best Hospitals 2025 by Newsweek
- Best Hospitals for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report
- San Francisco Bay Area's first Magnet hospital for nursing excellence
To learn more about career opportunities for nurses, please visit elcaminohealth.org.
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