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Blog spotlight: Take the fear out of performance reviews

Nurse Leader Weekly, September 15, 2008

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This week, learn how to remove the tension during staff performance reviews:

Nurse managers and staff communicate effectively every shift, about a number of topics, and usually with little anxiety. But put staff performance up for discussion and the tension rises.

Performance reviews are critical to staff development; therefore nurse managers need to know how to minimize this tension and make them as productive as possible. To conduct the most effective and painless performance reviews, follow these tips:

Remove the shock. The feedback given in a performance review shouldn't be a surprise. Make sure you communicate and provide staff members with constructive criticism throughout the year, instead of springing it on them all at once. Also, never miss an opportunity to let staff know when they set a positive example for your facility.

Give them time. Performance reviews are most effective when both the nurse manager and the staff member prepare for them. Inform employees of their performance evaluation at least two weeks ahead of time so they can organize their own materials, such as an informal evaluation of their performance or a list of goals they wish to achieve in the future. Employees will arrive for their review collected and more open to discussion.

How do you reduce staff anxiety during performance reviews?

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