Abstract
Background: There is a considerable evidence to show the success of magnet hospitals in attracting and retaining nursing staff. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the magnet features in selected hospitals from the perspective of nurses. Design: Descriptive comparative design was utilized in this study. Methods: Study was conducted in two hospitals namely: Mansoura General Hospital as ministry of health sector and Gastroenterology center as University sector. A purposive convenient sample of 177 staff nurses working in the previous mentioned hospitals were constituted the study sample. Data for the present study was collected through utilizing Nursing Work Index developed by Joyce&Crookes (2007 ) based on The original NWI that was developed by Kramer and Hafner (1989) from the research on magnet hospitals for the purpose of capturing a clear measure of the organizational attributes of a professional practice environment. Results: findings of the present study revealed that nurses working in university hospital have positive perception of magnet features which contributes to better working conditions than those nurses working in ministry of health sector. Statistical significant differences in nurses' perception regarding educational opportunity, control over nursing practice and shared governance subscales of magnet features in the selected hospitals. Recommendations : Nursing leaders' efforts to create empowering work environments can influence nurses' ability to practice in a professional manner, ensuring excellent patient care quality and positive organizational outcomes. Efforts must be made to improve nurses' working conditions in governmental and ministry of health sectors in order to retain nurses in the system and encourage new recruits to the profession.