At Cottage Health, the impact of our nurses is seen and felt in every corner of care. It’s in the way they care for patients, support families, collaborate with colleagues and respond with confidence in critical moments. They make healing possible every day.
To honor that work in a way that truly reflects its impact, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital has begun the process to pursue Magnet® designation, the globe’s highest distinction for nursing excellence.
Granted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Magnet® recognizes hospitals that deliver superior care, support professional growth and foster a culture where nurses lead and thrive. Fewer than 10 percent of hospitals in the United States have earned this prestigious recognition.
“Magnet-recognized organizations are known for delivering better patient outcomes and achieving higher levels of patient satisfaction, a standard we strive to meet every day,” said Laura Canfield, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Cottage Health. “Pursuing Magnet® designation affirms our commitment to excellence.”
For nurses, working at a Magnet® designated facility is more than recognition. It represents a culture where their expertise is valued, their voices are heard and their careers are supported at every stage. It’s about shared governance, leadership development and a daily commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous improvement.
For patients, Magnet® recognition reaffirms what they already experience at Cottage Health—safe and high-quality care. This designation underscores our longstanding commitment to clinical excellence, delivered with compassion. It’s not a change in how we care, but a national recognition of the exceptional care we’ve always provided.
“What makes this journey so powerful is that it’s being led by the people who deliver care every day,” said Canfield. “Our nurses are participating in shaping the process.”
In July 2024, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital joined the ANCC Pre-Intent Program, an important first step that formally signals the hospital’s intent to apply for Magnet® designation. This phase provides access to resources and expert guidance to support the journey. Because achieving Magnet® is a multi-year process, the hospital plans to submit its formal application in 2026, followed by document submission and a site visit in 2028.
“This journey is about celebrating and strengthening what our nurses already do so well,” said Canfield.
Though ANCC requires each hospital to apply separately, the journey is one that Cottage Health is taking as a system. Nurses across Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital and Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital are active participants through Magnet® committees and ambassador roles, uniting our campuses in a shared pursuit of excellence.
As Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital moves forward, this journey will continue to be shaped by the people who make it possible—nurses.
