Clinical and management nurses from various units worked together to develop the process making it truly an exercise in partnership. In the past, management developed competency and appraisal processes without input from staff. The new process of rating individual performance includes the nurse, peers, and manager. The nurse has many opportunities to partner with others throughout the year to accomplish goals and to meet competency requirements. The third concept included in this process focuses on rating each nurse's performance.
Every nurse receives an annual performance appraisal and assessment of competency.
This appraisal includes feedback and a performance rating by both the peer group and the manager. The appraisal also includes a self-assessment and performance plan by the nurse, who completes a portfolio that provides examples of the implementation of clinical guidelines, patient outcomes, and documentation. The portfolio includes goals set by the nurse and an action plan for accomplishing these as well. The peer group reviews this portfolio and confers with the nurse. The group uses methods of inquiry to stimulate a discussion of the quality of the nurse's professional practice.