Preparing for a Nursing Performance Review
Preparing for a Nursing Performance Review - Travel Nurse Source Blog

Preparing for a Nursing Performance Review

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There are plenty of things to worry about as a new nurse. You will encounter many “firsts” as you begin your nursing career, including first days, first patients and first procedures. Another first that all newbie nurses must prepare for is their first nursing performance review. This is a chance for your manager to assess how your performance compares to the requirements of your position. While this review may seem nerve-wracking, there are several ways to ensure it goes well! Continue reading for our guide on how to prepare for a nursing performance review.

nursing performance review

Nursing Performance Review | Tips for Success

A positive nursing performance review will increase your chances of advancing your career. It will open doors to better pay and even new opportunities. But, preparation is very important. Here are 7 tips that will help you get the best nursing performance review possible!

Know the Evaluation Tool

Learning about the tools that will be used to evaluate your work is an excellent way for new nurses to prepare for a review. Any facility will be happy to provide a copy of this evaluation tool. This way, you will know what to expect from your experience, which should help calm your nerves. 

Treat It Like an Interview

Coming into an interview with a positive attitude will set you up for success. The same goes for a nursing performance review. Take some time to reflect on your strengths and your areas of improvement and come prepared to discuss them. Your manager will certainly appreciate your self-evaluation skills and your proactivity in preparing for the review. 

Stay Awhile

Be warned. There are some managers that may want to rush you through the review process by having you sign a piece of paper and then dismissing you. Don’t let them. You have a right to hear any feedback that may help you improve your work. This time is set aside for you, so make sure you’re using it!

Bring Copies of Awards and Kudos from Patients 

While your feedback goes a long way, it’s just as important to include comments from other people you’ve worked with. Any proof you have of the positive impact you have on your colleagues and your patients will help you during your review. In this case, showing off your accolades is not an exercise in narcissism. After all, what better place is there to self-promote than in a performance review? 

Set Professional Goals

Record any professional goals you may have and bring this list to your review. This will show your supervisor that you are driven and willing to push yourself. While this is not necessary, it is a great segue into discussing any areas of improvement you see in your work. 

Ask for Examples 

If the feedback you’ve been provided isn’t clear, don’t be afraid to ask for specific examples! Asking your manager to elaborate on a comment is one of the best ways to improve your performance. It also shows them that you want to grow in your position and will not shy away from constructive criticism.

Never Stop Preparing 

Make sure you’re looking for opportunities to enhance your performance throughout the year. Enrolling in classes, staying up-to-date on literature, and finding ways to keep morale up are all excellent ways to impress your manager. If you stay on top of this, you’ll have plenty of great things to talk about when you’re being reviewed!


Now that you know how to prepare for your nursing performance review, it’s time to knock it out of the park! If you have any additional questions about nursing performance reviews, feel free to post them in the comments below.

Author: Travel Nurse Source

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