Finally getting a preformance review...after 2 years

[Beijos]

So, I got a call today saying that my manager needed to do a review on me...by Friday. A little background here. I graduated two years ago with my BSN, have been on the same unit since graduation, and yes this will be my first review. Let me tell you though...HR has known about this for about a year now. That didn't get me a review though. So far I should have had a minimum of a 3 month, 6 month, 12 month and now 2 year review. Probably more since I was a new grad! I am not the only one who hasn't had their reviews and asked. Everyone is in the same boat. I just don't know what to do or say. There is so much frustration built up that she already knows about because she sat in the same room with me and HR. (The meeting with HR was b/c I left one day and gave my patients to a nurse that came in extra who didn't have a load of patients. I had been so verbally abused by a doctor that I felt I couldn't take care of my patients like I should. My manager was unavailable as usual, and the shift leader and educator let me leave after I requested, they said take as much time as I wanted. I thought it was ok and after report, I left. The next day I had to go to HR. Basically they claimed I abandoned my patients but I had given full report to someone who was about to go home anyway and agreed to stay in my place. I felt I did the right thing protecting my patients.)

The units turn over is staggering. I feel that speaks for itself. In fact, we had someone on staff that left after working here for over 20 years because it was so poorly run. I really don't know why I have stayed for so long, I guess I am just comfortable with what I am doing. I just want to know what I am good at and what I need to improve upon and I feel like I haven't got that. I have had reviews for other jobs in the past but I was wondering how will this go down. I mean I need to know what is going to be asked because I am really afraid I am just going to go off. I know no one knows on this forum, and I should be asking my fellow employees but many have never had one since they have been there. The whole staff was nearly new when I started. I mean after all, my preceptor had been there for a month when she began orienting me.

I guess one of my biggest concerns is that this is my first real job. I had only worked retail, food service, etc. I don't know what a good raise is...assuming I get one. I really feel like I should be making more than a new grad. I just don't know how to go about it, and I am afraid that I will feel insulted with whatever I get and I will want to quit there. I guess all my pent up emotions are in part because of every little thing that is messed up on the unit. It's nothing different from what you see on everyone else's posts it just seems to be all of those complaints at once. I really want to transfer in stay in the system but I know if I don't get a raise my pay won't change until my new manager feels like it should. I guess could you all tell me what your reviews were like. How to act, I'm really nervous. Honestly, how much of a raise is too much to ask for considering I started two years ago as a new grad? I know that all depends upon where your at, how well you perform, etc...but how much did your pay go up after two years as a nurse?...if any :/

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

reviews and merit raises really should not be considered at the same time, per all the HR experts. Reviews are to interrupt poor performance and compliment good performance, so not having a review in this length of time is not a good thing for the unit, the patient and of course, you. By now you have developed habits - I hope all good ones. As for pay increases, managers do not have 100% control. They are budgeted and approved by the CFO and others. Someone made a comment to me years ago that I thought was insensitive but now I realize it hit the nail on the head.

If you think you can do better elsewhere, leave.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

I certainly would be asking about retroactive increases.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I worked at one place for a total of 6 years. After the first 3 years when I still hadn't had a performance review, I marched into the DNS' office and said "Since I haven't had a review, I can only assume I'm perfect." Our raises weren't tied into our reviews. Now that I'm in charge of 90% of the reviews in my building, I do my best to get them done on time, but nothing on your review should be a surprise. If you're not doing a good job, you certainly should be told about it on an ongoing basis. (And, really, how bad was the doctor that you couldn't work???)