JobsAdvocate Health

Magnet & Nursing Excellence Program Manager

Advocate Health · Chicago, IL

Posted Aug 26, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Walk me through a Magnet designation or redesignation you personally worked on. What was your role and what part of the document did you own?

whether the candidate has hands-on Magnet writing experience versus just being adjacent to the process

Tell me about a time you had to get buy-in from a nursing director or CNO on a change to practice that they were not initially on board with.

political skill and credibility with senior nursing leadership, since this role has no direct authority over unit leaders

Describe a time you had to pull together a team of bedside nurses to write for a Magnet document on top of their clinical schedules. How did you keep them engaged and on deadline?

project management and mentoring skill with a workforce that has competing clinical demands

Tell me about a time a Magnet site visit or major submission did not go the way you expected. What happened and what did you change afterward?

honesty about failure and capacity to learn from a high-stakes miss

Technical

How do you explain the difference between the Magnet model components and the actual day-to-day evidence you need to collect for each one?

depth of real ANCC criteria knowledge versus surface familiarity with the term Magnet

How would you assess whether shared governance is actually functioning on a unit versus existing on paper only?

whether they can distinguish real staff engagement from a councils-in-name-only structure

What exemplars or evidence would you look for to demonstrate exemplary professional practice in an ICU versus a med-surg floor?

whether they can tailor Magnet evidence to unit-specific context rather than applying a generic template

How do you go about building the Magnet program budget, and what tends to get cut first when funding is tight?

financial literacy and prioritization skill for a program manager who owns a budget

How do you use adult learning principles differently when you're educating a new grad versus a 20-year veteran nurse on Magnet requirements?

actual instructional design knowledge, not just familiarity with the phrase adult learning theory

Situational

Say you're six months from a Magnet site visit and you find a unit where nurse-sensitive indicators have been trending in the wrong direction for two quarters. What do you do first?

whether they know how to use NDNQI data to drive action rather than just report it

A unit director tells you their nurses don't have time for the certification push you're leading. How do you respond?

ability to hold a program priority under resistance without damaging the relationship

If two nursing units interpret an EBP initiative differently and you need consistency across the hospital for your Magnet submission, how do you resolve that without alienating either unit?

conflict resolution and standardization skill across a hospital-wide program

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 34200 Advocate Trinity Hospital - Clinical Education Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 40 Schedule Details/Additional Information: Full Time Pay Range: $51.05 - $76.60 Major Responsibilities: Nursing Professional Development 1)Oversees ongoing educational needs assessment and utilizes results in the development and design of house wide education plans in alignment with the system nursing education strategic plan. 2)Designs processes and programs in collaboration with Nursing Director, CNO and nurse leaders to support professional development related to education advancement and national certification of all nurses. 3)Ensures the AAH nurse professional practice model is reflected in all processes and design of nursing, including in the pursuit of Magnet 4)Supports site nursing Shared Governance structures and processes to ensure goals of Magnet designation are accomplished. 5)Coordinates and supports other activities related to professional nursing practice and care innovation in collaboration with the nursing leadership 6)Mentors and advises team members in their pursuit of clinical education professional development. 7)Facilitate effective structured communication processes related to nursing professional practice and shared governance Provides leadership in the planning, developing, implementing and evaluation of the Magnet Program standards. 1)Leads and assumes organizational responsibility for all aspects of the ANCC Magnet application, designation and re-designation processes including compliance with ANCC Magnet criteria 2)Mentors team members to ensure the development of enhanced knowledge related to Magnet. 3)Participates and assists with development of strategic plan related to Magnet designation/re-designation 4)Utilizes in-depth assessment and analysis to determine organizational readiness for Magnet designation and identify gaps and best practices. 5)Collaborates with nursing leadership and clinical departments to close identified gaps in systems and processes. 6)Monitors the performance of key Magnet indicators for NDNQI quality indicators, nurse sensitive patient satisfaction and RN satisfaction and works with nursing leadership to drive improvements. 7)Validates that patient outcome data is disseminated, monitored and evaluated against established benchmarks and that all areas where nurses are providing direct patient care have identified indicators. 8)Prepare annual budget for Magnet Program. 9)Attends system, site and external Magnet consortiums and shares information related to Magnet recognition processes and standards. 10)Establishes and maintains effective relationships with administration, nursing leadership and all staff to ensure achievement of goals related to Magnet readiness. Utilizes knowledge, research, evidence-based practice and thorough understanding of the Magnet standards to drive nursing excellence 1)Designs, implements and evaluates organizational education needs related to Magnet. Applies principles of adult education and learning theories when developing and implementing the instructional process. 2)Provides an environment of motivation and commitment to Magnet designation through celebration, continuous communication and education on the Magnet requirements. 3)Collaborates with nursing leaders to implement process improvement that focus on exemplary professional practice, enhance performance outcomes and EBP 4)Supports nursing research throughout the organization in alignment with the magnet recognition program 5)Engages in and serves as a mentor and role model for innovation, EBP and research 6)Demonstrates project management skills. Demonstrates creative problem solving skills. 7)Ensures through education of all departments, the understanding and knowledge that reflects a magnet organization. Responsible for timely completion of Magnet Program Requirements 1)Develops appropriate timeline and prioritizes work that results in a comprehensive submission reflective of the achievements, outcomes and successes of the hospital. 2)Facilitates and oversees tracking of nursing credentials and submission of DDCT (demographic tools). 3)Leads teams in preparing written Magnet document and completes submission every 4 years. 4)Acts as liaison between the organization and the Magnet ANCC office. 5)Coordinates readiness activities for Magnet site visit. Provides guidance, support and an overall plan that engages administration, physicians, staff and all inter- professional partners in Magnet site visit activities and preparedness. Licensure: Nurse, Registered (RN) Education/Experience Required: -BSN -5 - 7 years clinical experience -National Certification from an ANCC recognized organization -3-5 years management experience -Experience in a Magnet Organization with participation in Magnet writing and preparation Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: - Excellent interpersonal relationship skills -Excellent communication skills -Excellent problem solving skills -Clinical skills appropriate to areas of accountability -Self-management skills which enable results in a competitive and mature market -Demonstrate management and leadership skills in a specialized professional field -Mentoring/coaching skills Current RN licensure in the State of Illinois Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: -Resiliency and flexibility to deal with a changing environment -Demonstrated problem-solving ability -Ability to work under stressful conditions and in difficult situations -May be exposed to hazardous materials and life threatening diseases. Knowledge of universal precautions is a must -Works within and supports a shared governance model -Is customer focused -Ability to handle crisis situations -Ability to meet with physicians and patients in a clinical setting -Knowledgeable about work This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job • Incentive pay for select positions • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more • Paid Time Off programs • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs • Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health  Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

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