Division of Mental Health

Flinders Medical Centre

 

Nursing Service Performance Appraisal Package

 

Introduction:

The Division of Mental Health recognises that Mental Health Nursing is a speciality area of nursing, and values the contribution that Mental Health Nurses provide to the Multi-disciplinary team.

Mental Health Nursing as a speciality area of nursing must define its parameters and establish guidelines for accountability, standards of practice and desired outcomes. To address the issue of accountability and quality care there must be a consistent method of measuring standards of practice. Monitoring performance through endorsed standards and clinical indicators, for nursing practice is now an accepted method of establishing an acceptable range of practice1.

Performance Appraisal:

All Nurses employed by the Division of Mental Health will participate in an Annual Performance Appraisal. Each appraisal will be based on the professional standards of practice as described by the Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses2.

The performance appraisal is seen as a staff development tool and will not be used as a disciplinary measure and will not be used for selection or promotion purposes. The objectives of the appraisal are to provide an opportunity;

  • for self evaluation,
  • to receive appropriate feedback, and
  • to provide a record of performance.

Standards of Practice:

Standards should be designed to reflect the Nurses Act and should be based on the Act and Regulations. Standards should be consistent with the ANCI Codes of Ethics, Conduct and Competencies standards. Standards should be sufficiently broad and flexible to achieve their objective and at the same time permit freedom for innovation, growth and change. Standards should be cognisant of consumers and other stake-holders expectations. Standards should be formulated according to requirements which facilitate their applicability and use by the Nurses Board3.

Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses

"Standards of Practice for Mental Health Nursing in Australia"

The Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses have developed a set of Nursing Standards that have been endorsed by the Nurses Board of South Australia. These standards for professional practice in mental health nursing represent the performance which can be expected from a registered nurse who has been working for a period equivalent to 12 months full time in any mental health context2.

 

 Bellow is the text contained within the appraisal form.

  

Name: ……………………………………………..

 

Appraiser: ……………………………………………..

 

Date of Appraisal: ……………………………………………..

Under each of the standard statements outlined on the following pages, please indicate how you believe you meet the standards in your everyday nursing practice. To assist you in this process we have included the indicators for when the standards are met.

Standard 1: The Mental Health Nurse ensures his/her practice is culturally appropriate through the sensitive and supportive identification of cultural issues.

This Standard is being met when;

1. Consumers report that they feel respected and that their cultural integrity has been sustained by the mental health nurse.

2. Consumers recount feelings of confidence in the therapeutic environment and the cultural support provided by the mental health nurse.

3. Cultural groups within the community feel encouraged and supported in the development of self-help processes and practices which optimise the mental health of the group.

4. Processes for ongoing consultation with groups in the community on issues related to cultural identity are in place and have the support of the target group.

 

Standard 2: The Mental Health Nurse establishes partnership as the working basis for therapeutic relationships.

This standard is being met when;

1. Under appropriate conditions, the consumer, family or significant others express satisfaction with the process and outcome of the nurse/consumer partnership and the therapeutic relationship

2. The clinical supervisor and/or peers, support the mental health nurse’s evaluation of the effectiveness of the therapeutic relationship, for the consumer.

3. Information is managed in line with legislation and policies related to privacy and confidentiality.

  1. The mental health nurse has access to and functions as a member of the multidisciplinary team while working in a therapeutic relationship.

Standard 3: The Mental Health Nurse provides systematic nursing care that reflects contemporary nursing practice and the client’s health care/treatment plan.

This standard is being met when;

1. The consumer, family, and/or significant others confirm they have been involved in key aspects of care.

2. The mental health nurse interprets and contributes to the health care/treatment plan and therapeutic relationship with reference to contemporary mental health nursing practice.

3. The health care/treatment plan accurately reflects the outcomes of progressive nursing assessment through collaboration with the consumer, family, significant others and consultation with other members of the mental health team.

4. Documentation reflects the consumer’s current health status, circumstances, goals, treatment strategies, and outcomes.

 

Standard 4: The Mental Health Nurse promotes the health and wellness of individuals, families, and communities.

This standard is being met when;

1. There is evidence of collaboratively developed strategies to optimise the health of the community.

2. Research strategies have been developed by the nurse to evaluate the effectiveness of mental health programs.

3. Strategies to promote mental health and wellness in the community demonstrate evidence of awareness of, and adaptation to, cultural values and community practices.

4. Research findings demonstrate the effectiveness of planned health promotion strategies.

Standard 5: The Mental Health Nurse commits to ongoing education and professional growth and develops the practice of mental health nursing through the use of appropriate research findings.

This standard is being met when;

1. The mental health nurse has a current career development plan based on a commitment to life long learning.

2. The mental health nurse shows evidence of participating in learning experiences relevant to his/her own practice.

3. The mental health nurse participates in professional debate, nursing research and the development of mental health nursing knowledge.

4. The mental health nurse demonstrates, self and peer review in relation to expected standards of practice in mental health nursing and the quality of performance expected by health care agencies.

Standard 6: The Mental Health Nurse practices ethically, incorporating the concepts of professional identity, independence, authority and partnership.

This standard is being met when;

1. The mental health nurse has current registration to practice.

2. Feedback provided by the consumer, consumer’s family and one’s peers, indicates the nurse is demonstrating an acceptable standard of professional practice.

3. There is evidence that the mental health nurse is actively involved in the profession and accepts collective responsibility for promoting safe and ethical practice.

4. There is evidence that the mental health nurse is practicing in accordance with published standards for mental health nursing.

 

Identifying and developing professional objectives:

On the following page you will be asked to identify 3 to 4 professional objectives that you would like to focus on for the year ahead.

Firstly however it is worth considering the following points;

  1. Spend some time thinking about what you want to achieve and why you want to achieve this.
  2. Spend some time thinking about how you will achieve your objectives. It may be useful for you to break your objectives into short term and long term goals.
  3. Spend some time thinking about how you will know when you have achieved your goals.
  4. You need to consider some time frames that are realistic for you to achieve your goals.

 

The following questions may help you to identify some professional objectives for your further professional development.

  1. What are my strengths in my present role?
  2. What areas might I need to develop further?
  3. What do I enjoy or not enjoy in my present role?
  4. What parts of my role interest me the most?
  5. Where do I see my future in the Service? What do I have to do to achieve this?
  6. Is there anything I need to do to develop my role further and become a more effective team member?
  7. Are there any procedures, policies or protocols that I feel require updating?
  8. Is there anything in my job description that has become redundant, or is there anything that I would like to add or change in my job description?

 

On this page you are asked to identify 3 to 4 professional objectives that you would like to focus on for the year ahead.

APPRAISERS COMMENTS:

Name of appraiser:……………………………Signature:……………………………Date……………

 

APPRAISEE COMMENTS:

 

Name of appraiser:……………………………Signature:……………………………Date……………

 

REFERENCES

1. Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses "Clinical Indicators

for Standards of Practice" Clinical Indicators Survey Manual (Version 1 - 1998)

2. Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses "Standards of

Practice for Mental Health Nursing in Australia" 1995

3. Nurses Board of South Australia Standards pamphlet 1997


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