In need of a serious butt whoopin I am.

Altra, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2012

Oy ... I'm not sure. Are there any guidelines in your performance review system, to guide both the individual and the manager in the ratings? That's generally been the case where I have worked. The standards should be defined in such a way that a competent employee who complies with policies gets a "satisfactory" or "meets standards" or whatever term is used ... and any rating higher than that requires documentation of the performance that exceeded the expected.

Vespertinas · Mar 22, 2012

It sounds like you talked to your co-workers after you filled out the survey and realized after the fact that "excellent" in evaluation terms means above-and-beyond exemplary. I don't think this warrants a panicky email from you but it's certainly something you can bring up at the start of your discussion with the manager- "I wasn't familiar with the criteria for each rating so although I believe I give excellent care, I understand that it is premature to imagine that I am achieving it in all areas of practice."

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 22, 2012

I hate these self-evaluations. I underrated myself on the first few because I wasn't entirely confident in myself even though I did get great feedback. So for one of them I decided to be more generous on myself, to find that apparently I was too generous with myself. Can't win for trying :)

Tina, RN · Mar 22, 2012

I'm not familiar with these self-evaluations. Why are you discouraged from giving yourself excellent marks?? I guess so that there is "always room for improvement"?? Sounds pretty weird to me...

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Mar 22, 2012

I wouldn't worry about it personally. They're too subjective to mean much. If anyone says anything, just say you consider yourself doing excellently in those categories considering your experience level.

allnurses Guide · Mar 22, 2012

Did you mark yourself excellent on everything? Or just the things you feel you've gotten good at?

I rated myself harshly on a student eval waaayyy back when, and my clinical instructor asked me why? I replied because I thought those were areas to keep working on. She said the eval is how and what I am doing now, and that I was performing better than I gave myself credit for. She said never cut yourself down, present your best, if you need cutting down to size, be sure that someone else will do it.

Especially if you left yourself open to areas that aren't "excellent", I wouldn't do anything else. WHen you get called in for the eval, do as Vespertina says, and simply say you didn't know what they used as criteria but are willing to learn.

I have many years of really excellent evals in my record, because I did my own; and noone else ever bothered!

noahsmama · Mar 22, 2012

What in heavens name is wrong with rating yourself as "excellent" in some areas??? If your manager disagrees they'll tell you, but I see no reason not to rate yourself as "excellent" in the areas where you believe you were doing well. Now, if you had just rated yourself as "excellent" in all areas, that might be concerning because it would indicate that you didn't have any areas where you think you need improvement, and that's not realistic, especially for someone with just one year's experience. But for Pete's sake, you must be doing something right! Don't sell yourself short!!!

dudette10, MSN, RN · Mar 23, 2012

Don't sell yourself short. There are too many other people waiting in line to do just that.

hb08491 · Mar 23, 2012

Did rating yourself exemplary require a statement about why you feel that way? If so then I would leave it as is. If you explained why you felt you were exemplary with evidence to back it up there is no harm in that. During your evaulation if they want to explain the ratings in more detail, great, but if not just be confident in your answers. Its always better to rate yourself higher anyway because sometimes the things you say help them to realize something they may have not noticed before. It might also get you a small merit raise and in this economy when raises are rare you should take it! Your evaluations are also not up for public discussion so if what your coworkers are saying about your ratings are making you uncomfortable you shouldnt discuss it with them any further. Yes you have only been there a year but there are lots of great new employees that can surpass people with years of seniority in the areas of attitude, commitment, and teamwork. No shame in being proud of your accomplishments and the great work you do!

caliotter3 · Mar 23, 2012

Most of the time these papers are just put in your folder anyway, so don't sweat it. Just do it. What I have always wondered about is why the supervisor calls a person's work only satisfactory, when they do a good job. I was told that is necessary to back up why they are not going to give a merit raise and so that no write ups are necessary to justify anything. At least for me, I have found this practice to be disappointing. When I have to rate people, I take the time and effort to do a thoughtful evaluation, and will write meaningful remarks about their job performance.

Morainey, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2012

It might be for your manager's eyes only, if he or she brings it up you could always argue that yes, you do feel you excel in those areas! There isn't anything wrong with realizing that you are exemplary in certain areas. If you really thought you had no room for improvement you wouldn't be backpedaling right now :rolleyes: