Tips on Constructive Criticism

Nurses General Nursing

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Something that I have quickly learned from AllNurses' discussions and various real life interactions is that nurses are very honest. I would like to become better at receiving feedback and information that is presented to me very bluntly. How can learn how to control my emotions when reviving constructive criticism?

Not a nurse yet, but I'm pretty good at taking criticism.

I take a step outside of myself and look at my behavior/actions and consider the intent of the criticism. Most of the time, it's to make me better/smarter/kinder/etc. Makes it easier to be objective about it and really benefit from it what the person has to say.

Trust the intentions of others. It's hard, but work on fighting the urge to get emotional. Instead, think rationally. 99% of the time people give their input to help us, even if it's not what we want to hear. Yes, there is that 1% of people who simply put others down to feel better about themselves. (not nurses- I mean anyone from any profession)

I too would like to learn how to be better at receiving criticism and not taking it personally. I'm a tenacious perfectionist, so when I make a mistake, I have already beaten myself up before the criticism is delivered. Cognitively, I believe that most criticism is well intended. I just need to grow a tougher skin. But how? Hoping to see more comments from the pros.

Specializes in Cardicac Neuro Telemetry.
Something that I have quickly learned from AllNurses' discussions and various real life interactions is that nurses are very honest. I would like to become better at receiving feedback and information that is presented to me very bluntly. How can learn how to control my emotions when reviving constructive criticism?

I too have struggled with this but have gotten a lot better. As a nursing student, I've received good and bad feedback. I remind myself that my instructors and my clinical preceptor gives constructive criticism to help me and help me develop into a competent nurse some day. Think of it that way next time you hear criticism. Even if it's beyond rude or hurts your feelings, drop your pride and think about it before dismissing it as someone being mean or trying to hurt your feelings. Sure, you may have a nasty instructor or a crappy preceptor and they'll be more brutal. Or you could have great ones. Either way, just put aside your pride and take a look at yourself. Use it to your advantage and do better. As a nursing student, I know what it feels like to feel completely defeated. Dust yourself off and learn. Besides, it's unrealistic as a nursing student to receive nothing but positive feedback. No one knows everything as a student or does everything right.

It is good when people are ready to receive constructive feedback. But I want to point out that not everybody who gives feedback or criticizes gives constructive feedback or in a tone and setting that makes it easy to listen. A lot is about the setting and how a person gives feedback.

The person who asks for feedback may be ready to receive it but if the other person does not come across as well meaning, and generally supportive, it will not go well.

There is a difference between sitting down with somebody and saying "this and this is what you are doing ok or good with and this and this is where you need to improve" and outline a plan for that as well. If it is a behavior that is criticized it is even more complicated as people usually get defensive easily.

I am a firm believer that feedback should always be given in a supportive manner, supportive environment and the intent should be clear. If the feedback is just the first step to terminate a person, it should be clear what the goal is.

If the goal is to improve performance, we need to give people the tools and a fair chance.

Unfortunately, what is more common is that people give "ad hoc" critique that is not well staged and leads to more hurt than improvement. Not every mentor and mentee get along and at times constant criticism is usually not successful either.

When I was a new nurse on a floor after 9 years critical care, I had a difficult time to adapt to the multitasking and craziness of a busy tele floor with very sick patients. I did my best, provided safe care, and my patients were happy with me but the nurse who was supposed to orient me was generally speaking not a good fit and had only negative things to say based on her 2 years of nursing experience. While she had some valid points about time management for example, I was not given the right tools and assignments that nobody new could manage...

So while she had some good points, it would have been better to say "this is what I noticed and this is how you can manage your time better, let's try xyz" instead of "your time management is bad and you can not even discharge the patient".

When I ask for an honest feedback to evaluate my own performance I just keep an open mind , write down what is verbalized and say "thank you, I have to look into this, it is important to me", stuff like that and then sit down to think about it.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Something that I have quickly learned from AllNurses' discussions and various real life interactions is that nurses are very honest. I would like to become better at receiving feedback and information that is presented to me very bluntly. How can learn how to control my emotions when reviving constructive criticism?

It would be nice if every educator, manager, preceptor and senior nurse was skilled at delivering feedback -- especially negative feedback -- in a manner that made their good intentions clear and their recipient comfortable. Alas, that isn't the case. All too few of us have any skill or instruction in the art of delivering feedback, and our job is so important that the consequences of NOT delivering feedback can be dire.

Remind yourself that the person delivering the feedback is probably just as uncomfortable as you, and is probably having just as much difficulty giving the feedback as you are receiving it. The person who tells you that while the order for insulin was 10 units, you've drawn up 100 units cannot NOT give you the feedback. You both just have to do the best you can. Most people who are giving you feedback, even negative feedback that doesn't feel particularly constructive, have good intentions and are trying to help you. Yeah, there's the odd witch or two, but they're the exception, not the rule.

Try to be as open to feedback as you can be, thank the person for their feedback and before you say anything ELSE, reflect upon the CONTENT of their comments, not the delivery. You want to be the person that others don't hesitate to go to with concerns, not the person that they don't feel like dealing with so they turf it to management instead. Keep your emotions under lock and key until you have a moment to go to the restroom. Restrooms have seen a lot of emotion!

Given that you've the forethought to ask the question, I'm thinking you're going to do just fine.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Concentrate on what is being said, not how you perceive it. Take what is useful and helpful and discard the rest. That is how I do it.

Specializes in ICU.
Concentrate on what is being said, not how you perceive it. Take what is useful and helpful and discard the rest. That is how I do it.

Yes, me too.

I firstly try to listen carefully to what's being said. This can be hard, as you say OP, as strong emotions can rise up very quickly. I want someone to feel they can let me know something potentially useful again, I also don't want to miss an opportunity to learn from feedback even if awkwardly given. Feedback can be a real and unique opportunity to improve, the blunter the better sometimes. So I focus on nodding and listening. If I don't respond instantly and just listen it gives time for any anger/hurt etc to die down.

Secondly, what I've learnt to do is NOT automatically assume the other person is correct. I will examine what has been said carefully and potentially get another perspective if I am unsure if the criticism is valid. Then I change what I can change.

In summary, it is easier not to respond emotionally, if the criticism/feedback is only allowed into a "mental antechamber" or "entrance hall" and put on hold until you can decide how useful or relevant it is. It doesn't go straight to your emotional core that way.

If you're looking at the AllNurses site also watch how well posters can respond to even very blunt feedback, people can be impressively gracious at times.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Concentrate on what is being said, not how you perceive it. Take what is useful and helpful and discard the rest. That is how I do it.

Now that's a much more clear and succinct way of stating it. Kudos.

Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

The best way to handle criticism is to ask for more information. Ask specifically what you did wrong, who was harmed or inconvenienced, and what would have been the preferred course of action. The person whose uncomfortable job it is to deliver the feedback will be relieved at your receptivity. It will be a worthwhile learning experience for you.

You will do the exact same thing when someone is just trying to cut you down. This time, asking for specifics puts him on the spot and makes the behaviour less rewarding for him.

You never have to worry what someone's intention is; you will respond the same either way. Their true intention will become clear very soon.

When someone comes to you with a problem, first hear them out. What are they saying you need to improve? What are they saying you did wrong? Are they framing it as a need to develop skills or as a personal flaw? What actions are within your power to improve? How are they suggesting you handle things better next time?

How do they react when you ask for further clarification? If they didn't initially give you suggestions for improvement, will they offer some if prompted? What will they do to help support your growth?

If a person wants to help you, they will explain what went wrong and offer suggestions and support to help you grow. If a person wants to undermine you, they will tell you what went wrong and tell you you're just not going to make it. Sometimes there's an inbetween where people word their feedback tartly but still offer you tools for improvement. Accept the tools and leave the tartness behind.

If you're not sure how to go about fixing the problem, remember who are the ones who will give you honest, helpful answers (tart or not). Those are the people you go to the next time you need help.

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