Deck 19: Evaluating Staff Performance

Question 1

A nurse manager believes that a staff nurse is rude to clients. In the past year, other nurses and staff from other departments have reported that the nurse has treated them rudely. The manager reviews the staff nurse's employee file and finds last year's appraisal as exceptional. What is the manager's best course of action during this year's evaluation?

A) Tell the nurse that complaints about rudeness have been received and that additional complaints will result in termination.
B) Notify nursing administration of the issues and complaints.
C) Tell the nurse that other staff nurses have complained about rudeness and have been instructed to keep a log of incidents.
D) Include documentation of these issues in the evaluation that is discussed with the nurse and provide a plan of action.

Answer 1

Include documentation of these issues in the evaluation that is discussed with the nurse and provide a plan of action.

Question 2

A nurse manager looks through a file that contains information regarding critical incident reports filed within the past year. For which reasons does the manager review and use this information? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) To increase leniency
B) To decrease the possibility of lawsuits by the employee being evaluated
C) To increase manager-employee communication
D) To decrease recency error
E) To increase the accuracy of the evaluation

Answer 2

To decrease the possibility of lawsuits by the employee being evaluated
To increase manager-employee communication
To decrease recency error
To increase the accuracy of the evaluation

Question 3

An ICU nurse manager prefers to use a "results-oriented system" when evaluating employees. Why would the manager prefer this system?

A) It allows for comparison between employees.
B) The employee knows in advance what is expected.
C) It is apparent when an employee stands out against peers.
D) It eliminates the category of "excellence" from the system.

Answer 3

The employee knows in advance what is expected.

Question 4

The RN has had recent difficulty finishing and documenting client care during the assigned shift. The nurse has historically had very good appraisals, and the climate of the unit has not changed. Which would be the best approach to correct recent behaviors?

A) Provide education
B) Simplify tasks
C) Clarify expectations
D) Reassign the nurse to another unit.

Question 5

During the review of an organization's appraisal policies, a nurse consultant finds that the facility uses a traditional rating scale based on general performance. What would be the consultant's greatest concern with this choice of appraisal style?

A) It is time consuming for the manager to write the evaluation essay required by this method.
B) Ratings are based on the supervisor's idea of satisfactory performance.
C) The standards used are so specific that they do not allow for individual variation.
D) Since this style involves input from peers, there is room for problems with confidentiality.

Question 6

A director has performed an annual appraisal of the ICU manager, which reflects several issues in regard to the manager's attitude. At the end of the interview the manager expresses disagreement with the appraisal. The director instructs the manager to sign the appraisal and ends the interview. The manager reports this situation to the human resources director for which reason?

A) The interview was conducted in an unprofessional manner.
B) The appraisal could be interpreted as discriminatory.
C) The appraisal was not a fair evaluation of the manager's work.
D) The director appraised the manager's attitude, which is unprofessional.

Question 7

A manager has conducted a nurse's evaluation, focusing a large portion of the appraisal on the nurse's personality. The nurse does not agree with the appraisal and contacts the human resources director. What is the soundest basis on which to dispute the appraisal?

A) The appraisal is incomplete.
B) The appraisal is unfair.
C) The appraisal is not valid.
D) The nurse's perception of the appraisal is unjustified.

Question 8

A nurse manager and an employee meet to discuss the employee's appraisal. They disagree on the content of the employee evaluation. The disagreement turns into an argument. Which is the best managerial strategy in this situation?

A) Postpone the interview.
B) Agree on arbitration.
C) Seek input from employee peers.
D) Report the employee to the human resources manager.

Question 9

An organization has changed its performance appraisal process and is conducting training for managers. What topics should the trainer include in the agenda for this session? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) What a reasonable job performance should look like
B) How to conduct a disciplinary meeting
C) How to complete the evaluation form
D) How to give the employee feedback on evaluation
E) Use of anecdotal notes

Question 10

An experienced ICU nurse manager is orienting a newly hired nurse manager to the organization. The ICU manager makes occasional notes in a small notebook. The new manager asks why the ICU manager is taking notes. What are the most likely rationales for this behavior? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) "It saves me time in the long run."
B) "Taking notes helps me to address issues immediately so they do not escalate."
C) "Although this looks time consuming, it is just how I learned to manage."
D) "It helps me to remember what to address in staff meetings."
E) "Having notes helps protect me when evaluations are written."

Question 11

During appraisal interviews, the nurse manager defends the choice of rating by emphasizing the negative aspects of the nurse's performance. What is the likely outcome of this strategy?

A) The nurse will clearly see the impact of attitude on performance.
B) The nurse will identify ways that performance can be improved.
C) The nurse will pay less attention to maintaining what is done well.
D) The nurse will ignore the negative statements and focus only on the positive.

Question 12

A nurse manager is discussing the hospital's changes to peer evaluation with nursing staff. Which comment by a staff nurse would the manager interpret as evidence of understanding this process?

A) "Our evaluations will be more objective."
B) "This must be a less expensive method of evaluation."
C) "This should be quicker than our existing method."
D) "This would be a good way to get back at the nurses who don't work as hard."

Question 13

A nurse manager has discussed behavioral and unprofessional behaviors with a nurse. During the performance appraisal, the manager addressed these issues and the two nurses have developed a specific plan to address the performance areas that can be strengthened. What should the manager's next course of action be?

A) Take notes of the nurse's behavior during the appraisal.
B) Inquire as to the nurse's perception of the appraisal.
C) Schedule a follow-up session to determine if the nurse has made progress in the areas specified.
D) Schedule the next annual appraisal.

Question 14

The nurse manager is completing employee evaluations. Which practices should the manager use when doing these appraisals? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Appraising staff nurses every 18 to 24 months
B) Sharing the appraisal with staff nurses verbally and in writing
C) Requiring the staff nurse to sign the appraisal
D) Allowing the nurse to make written comments on the appraisal
E) Advising the nurse of the right to appeal the appraisal

Question 15

Adopting which strategy would be helpful in reducing recency error in staff appraisals?

A) Being careful not to overrate employees
B) Evaluating each behavior separately and fairly
C) Carefully defining performance standards
D) Recording critical incidents as they occur

Question 16

The manager overhears a nurse say to a client, "I am having trouble getting your IV started because you are so fat." The manager determines that a critical incident form should be completed. Which entry is appropriate to document on the form?

A) The nurse was rude to the client.
B) The nurse was rude and incompetent when caring for the client.
C) The client is obese, and IV catheter placement was attempted but unsuccessful due to the client's size.
D) Nurse ________ attempted to start an IV on this client and stated, "I'm having trouble getting your IV started because you are so fat."

Question 17

A nurse manager has been terminated for failing to follow institutional policy and procedures. Upon reviewing the manager's files, the supervisor discovers multiple unfinished employee evaluations from the last two years. The supervisor is faced with which concerns? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Finding someone with enough knowledge of the employee's work to complete the evaluation processes
B) How to share evaluation information with employees
C) The legal steps necessary to invalidate the in-process evaluations and begin new evaluations
D) Whether the care provided on the unit has been safe and effective
E) How long it has been since employees have had a valid evaluation

Question 18

A nurse manager gives a staff nurse an exceptional appraisal. The other nurses learn of the appraisal and are upset because this nurse has had numerous complaints from peers regarding laziness. The manager informs a colleague that the nurse obtained an exceptional appraisal because the nurse "will always work for me when I need extra help to come in." This is an example of which problem in evaluating?

A) Recency error
B) Leniency error
C) Ambiguity error
D) Halo error

Question 19

Which statement would be inappropriate for a manager to write on an employee's performance appraisal?

A) "The nurse's attitude positively affects coworkers."
B) "The nurse seeks learning experiences."
C) "The nurse is frequently tardy."
D) "The nurse is shy and quiet."

Question 20

An emergency department nurse manager is preparing for a night-shift nurse's annual appraisal. The manager is apprehensive because there are issues to address regarding rudeness and unprofessional behavior. How should the manager prepare for conducting this appraisal?

A) Place the evaluation in an envelope with specific details addressing the nurse's behavior and allow the nurse to review it during his or her next shift.
B) The manager should complete the evaluation and ask a peer to review it and provide feedback.
C) The manager should arrange a 20-30-minute meeting with the nurse to discuss the evaluation privately.
D) The manager should allow the human resources manager to conduct the appraisal.

Question 21

An organization has adopted the peer review process of evaluation. The manager shares which information with staff? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) "Begin to work on a portfolio that shows how you have met your work goals for this year."
B) "All of you will be called on to review each of the other nurses working on the unit."
C) "If you are a member of a peer review committee, you will submit a written evaluation to me."
D) "The evaluation will be based solely on the input of the peer committee."
E) "This change has occurred as a result of our move to self-governance."

Question 22

A hospital uses a results-oriented evaluation system. During a nurse's hiring process, the manager states, "Once you have been officially hired, I want to meet with you regarding evaluation." What will be the focus of this meeting?

A) The manager will give the nurse a set of work objectives for the next year.
B) The manager will explain how poor evaluations can lead to termination.
C) The nurse and the manager will work together to write work objectives for the nurse.
D) The manager will review the nurse's previous job experiences.

Question 23

The supervisor is teaching managers about the use of critical incidents as part of the evaluation process. What information should the supervisor share? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) "Our primary focus for using these notes is to find out who is doing a poor job."
B) "Using these notes will help you identify little problems before they become big problems."
C) "You can expect some negative reactions from staff."
D) "It is okay to tell your staff that you cannot remember all the details of each encounter for evaluation and the notes will help."
E) "Having these notes will help you feel more confident in your evaluation of staff."

Question 24

A nurse manager overhears a conversation in which staff nurses complain about the evaluation process. One nurse says, "It really is just a waste of time. I get the same raise no matter what I'm rated." Which is the best way for the manager to address this concern?

A) Lobby administration to implement raises based on merit.
B) Call the nurse aside and state agreement with the complaint.
C) Report the episode to the chief nursing officer.
D) Emphasize the practice development aspects of evaluation.

Question 25

The manager senses that a nurse is very anxious at the beginning of the performance interview. How should the manager proceed?

A) "I have looked back over all of my notes and interactions with you to prepare for our interview."
B) "I sense that you are very tense. Is there a reason you feel this way?"
C) "You are so tense! How about a cup of coffee to relax?"
D) "How are your children? Are you planning anything fun this summer with them?"

Question 26

A behavior-oriented performance evaluation will include what elements?

A) Developmental goals
B) Values of the organization
C) Examples of behaviors
D) Skills description
E) Position description

Question 27

A nurse manager elects to ignore a nurse's performance problem, hoping it will go away. What does this strategy indicate about the nurse's management ability?

A) The nurse is a lazy manager.
B) The nurse is gullible.
C) The nurse is using a valid strategy.
D) The nurse needs an update on management strategy.

Question 28

The staff nurse has challenged the appraisal rating given by a new nurse manager. What should the nurse manager do?

A) Do not change the rating as that will undermine the manager's authority.
B) Change the rating immediately as the staff nurse has more experience than the manager.
C) Investigate the staff nurse's challenge and change the rating if it is justified.
D) Ask another staff nurse to act as a mediator in the challenge.

Question 29

The formal evaluation includes what primary components?

A) Concrete example of performance or lack of performance
B) Self-evaluation of performance
C) Behavior-oriented criteria
D) Development plan for performance improvement
E) Amount of skills mastered

Question 30

An organization has begun using critical incidents as part of the evaluation process. The supervisor is meeting with a manager to review the manager's use of critical incidents since training last week. Which finding would concern the supervisor? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Each nurse has one critical incident recorded and it is positive.
B) The manager is writing these notes in a handheld electronic device.
C) The manager's notes are all written at the same time on the same day.
D) There is no indication that the critical incidents recorded have been shared with staff.
E) One note states, "This nurse has an abrasive personality."

Question 31

The standard method of appraisal used by the facility rates a nurse's performance as satisfactory, but the nurse manager feels the nurse has room for improvement in many areas. What action should be taken by the manager?

A) Ask another staff nurse's opinion of the situation.
B) Address the situation with the chief nursing officer.
C) Submit the appraisal as computed by the standard form.
D) Focus on developing a plan to improve the areas concerned.

Question 32

An organization has elected to use a behavior-oriented, self-evaluation system for nurses. Which statement would be included on the evaluation form? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Becomes BLS (basic life support) instructor within 1 year of employment
B) Maintains confidentiality of information
C) Achieves certification in specialty
D) Demonstrates care, respect, and compassion in all interactions
E) Works well on multidisciplinary teams