First informal evaluation with my manager

[Beekstar]

So I had my first evaluation with my manager and supervisor and it was not at all what I expected.

A little background, I just graduated in December and am a month out of a nurse internship on a busy med/surg floor. It hasn't been easy but I have managed pretty well for the most part. I do have off days but overall I thought I was going okay.

On this particular day, I was terribly behind due to one patient who was extremely sick and a very high acuity and probably shouldn't even be on our floor. I struggled but managed thanks to people helping me with my other patients.

so back to my evaluation.. My manager went on about how I am not providing compassionate care and that I am too task focused. She also said I let it show too much when I've had a bad day. I need to ask for help when I'm drowning. I was completely taken back by this.. I guess I could see that I am so worried about my time management sometimes that I can forget to go that extra mile to do something special for my patients but I'm still learning. Any advice? I really thought I was doing a decent job but I guess I'm not..

[ArmaniX, MSN, APRN]

It doesn't seem like they said you were not doing a good job. They are trying to aide in your growth to becoming a great nurse.

Take the criticism and develop from it. So that come next evaluation you can show vast improvement in the areas noted.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Based on the information you provided, I also think that your manager is not knocking your clinical ability or judgement. She's not saying you're dangerous or incompetent. She is providing feedback on areas that need additional improvement - that's her job. An important part of nursing is the ability to maintain your 'game face' even in very trying circumstances. Patients and their families trust us. They take their cues from us. If we are looking angry, panicked, flustered, etc., they know that something is not going right and their confidence is shaken.

I always coach ICU newbies to always focus on the patient first - NEVER let them see that you are more interested in the monitors; keep calm, and always be mindful of the tone of your voice and expression on your face. I've seen it many times - a calm and competent nurse can actually 'soothe away' cardiac ectopy and elevated BP. A very wise and expert ED nurse once told me that the best 'universal intervention' is a nurse looking them in the eyes and conveying the "don't worry, we've got this" message to the patient & family.

You'll get there. You're well on your way already. In a few years, you're going to be the manager giving this same information to one of your newbies.