Performance Appraisals and Problem Employees

1. What I learned from the unit.

This week I learned about and came to understand more of what a performance appraisal actually is. It was interesting to hear about what goes into creating a scale that has to be used for every employee. I learned how important goal setting is for each employee to do and how beneficial those goals can be with a manager or boss that is invested in each employee and their success. I learned about disciplining employees and the process to use, beginning with a verbal warning and ending with termination. It was a good reminder and something I will always remember is that you should never terminate or discipline an employee alone. I think this is great advice and I would always want someone else there to be the witness and also be there for backup if necessary. You never know how people are going to take that news....
The article I read this week was regarding the Zika virus and how prevalent it is becoming and what it is costing the world. This is a scary time to live in but I feel that we have the resources to help solve these world wide issues and I hope Zika doesn't get too far out of hand.


2. My feelings/experiences from the team activities. Did it change your opinion of the subject?

The discussions this week were great. Discussing who the greatest leader of all time was actually really fun and interesting. I loved hearing what others had to say and who they thought was/is the best. It made me reflect on how many wonderful people we have to look up to with fantastic leadership qualities. There is no reason I can't be a great leader because I have so many others to follow after and qualities to I can develop. Discussing the problem employee scenario was also interesting and it helped to see others' perspectives on discipline. I feel that main thing for me to remember is to always talk with the employee and give them a chance to explain why they may not be compliant or what might be going on in their personal life that is affecting work. I never want to lose that human side or the humble and understanding characteristics. The evaluation criteria discussion was also helpful and it made me realize all the different aspects of an employee there are to look at and consider.

3. How I will utilize the information learned in my nursing practice.

I can apply so many things I learned this week to my nursing practice. I will be able to look up to so many great leaders and develop the qualities that many of these leaders have. I can become a great leader to my coworkers and i don't have to be the charge nurse or nursing manager to do that. I can be a leader right now. When I am in a managerial role, it will have been beneficial for me to have thought about evaluation criteria and how to effectively discipline employees. These are skills that I will need to have. I am going to have to do things that may seem difficult now but its part of life and working.

4. My personal feelings about the material covered.
I thought this week was full of many beneficial insights to my nursing career. It was really helpful to develop criteria with my teammates as well as discuss how to go about disciplining an employee who has been very loyal and who has some personal problems.