Sentara Princess Anne Hospital achieves Magnet with Distinction

Sentara Princess Anne Hospital has achieved Magnet® Recognition with Distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), one of the highest honors in healthcare and the gold standard for nursing excellence and patient care.

Fewer than 10% of hospitals nationwide earn Magnet status, and only about 75 hospitals worldwide have achieved Magnet with Distinction. This honor makes Sentara Princess Anne Hospital the third hospital in Hampton Roads to receive Magnet with Distinction, placing it among an elite group recognized for outstanding nursing practice, innovation, and patient outcomes.

“This milestone reflects years of extraordinary commitment, professionalism, and teamwork from our nursing team,” said Sonia Cooper, market chief nursing officer of Sentara’s southeast Virginia Beach market. “Our team members consistently demonstrate heart, courage, and brilliance in everything they do.”

The achievement is backed by remarkable outcomes and engagement:

• More than 80% of registered nurses hold a bachelor’s degree or higher

• Nurse engagement reached 80.9%, exceeding the national benchmark

• Nurse turnover remained below 10%

• Six categories of excellence in patient experience, reflecting exceptional care delivery

Throughout the Magnet recognition process, SPAH nurses embraced a Wizard of Oz–inspired theme, celebrating the qualities that define the organization’s culture: courage, brains, and heart. 

Beyond the accolades, Magnet with Distinction is about what patients experience every day. The designation signifies stronger clinical outcomes, better communication, and compassionate, patient-centered care at every point of contact.

This achievement underscores Sentara Princess Anne Hospital’s deep investment in nursing excellence, professional development, and a culture where nurses are empowered to lead improvements in care. Most importantly, it reflects the hospital’s unwavering commitment to the community it serves.

Four other Sentara hospitals have also earned Magnet with Distinction, reflecting a system-wide commitment to nursing excellence: 

• Sentara Albemarle Medical Center in Elizabeth City, N.C.

• Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia

• Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia

• Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center in Woodbridge, Virginia