Discussion: Performance Standards and Appraisals  Performance appraisals should be timely, thoughtful, consistent, thorough, and free from bias. How can performance appraisal systems be structured to facilitate this type of environment? Effective performance standards and appraisals can promote an open and continuous relationship among the nurse manager, HR professionals, and employees. How might you, as a nurse manager, use performance appraisals and other performance management strategies, such as positive discipline, in your leadership approach?  In this Discussion, you reflect on questions that commonly arise when assessing performance appraisal processes. •Performance Standards: •Who creates performance standards, and how are they communicated to employees? •Are performance standards consistent with quality standards commonly used in the nursing profession? •Do performance standards align with legal and ethical nursing practice?  •Performance Appraisals: •How is employee performance (i.e., behaviors, attitudes, abilities, and skills) documented? •What measures, if any, protect employees from subjectivity? •Are employees asked to engage in any form of self-evaluation?  •Do colleagues participate in peer evaluations such as 360-degree appraisals? •Does the performance appraisal process encourage employee development? •Aside from the written performance measures, what aspects contribute to success or failure in achieving performance improvement?   To prepare •Review this week’s media, “Performance Management,” and consider the best practices highlighted by this week’s presenters. •Reflect on the performance standards and appraisal systems used in your current organization or one with which you are familiar. With the above questions in mind, identify this organization’s strengths and areas for improvement. •Drawing from ideas presented in this week’s Learning Resources, think of specific ways you might improve your organization’s use of performance standards and/or the performance appraisal process.  •Review the article, “Positive Discipline Reaps Retention.” As a nurse manager, how might you incorporate positive discipline into your performance management approach? What effect–good, bad, or indifferent–do you think it would have on your nursing staff?  By Day 3  Post a description of the performance appraisal system used in your workplace, including how performance standards are created and communicated to employees. Describe the effectiveness of the performance appraisal system by sharing at least two strengths and two areas for improvement. Conclude your posting by explaining how you might incorporate positive discipline into your performance management approach and what impact you think it will have.

Required Readings  Lussier, R. N., & Hendon, J. R. (2016). Human resource management: Functions, applications, & skill development (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.     •Chapter 8, “Performance Management and Appraisal” (pp. 274–314) This chapter introduces the performance appraisal process. The authors explain how to effectively carry out performance appraisals, the methods of assessment one can use, and who should be responsible for assessing employees.      •Chapter 9, “Rights and Employee Development&rdquo (pp. 316–355) Chapter 9 provides an overview of employee rights and privileges. It also explains the processes of developing or terminating an employee, providing counseling for problem employees, and effectively using discipline and termination.    Dupee, J. M., Ernst, N. P., & Caslin, K. E. (2011). Does multisource feedback influence performance appraisal satisfaction? Nursing Management, 42(3), 12–16.  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.     The article focuses on the effects of multisource feedback (MSF) in a nursing environment.   Murray, B. (2003). Positive discipline reaps retention. Nursing Management, 34(6), 19–22.  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.      Positive discipline can transform communication and relationships between nurse managers and nursing staff. This article examines how nurse managers at a medical center in Boise, Idaho shifted their feedback process to an Alternative Correction Action model based on positive discipline philosophies.

This assignment allows you to find current nutrition information in media sources (internet, magazine, etc) and critically analyze and evaluate validity. 

There is a lot of confusion about nutrition these days and this is often related to the massive amount of information in the media, including television, radio, the internet, social media, magazines, etc.  There are other examples; these are just some of the common sources of nutrition information and misinformation found in the media.  For this assignment, think about nutrition information that you have recently read or heard about – perhaps it is from Facebook, or standing in line at the grocery, etc. Then consider whether or not the information is really science based. 

Examples might be: blueberries prevent cancer, sugar causes diabetes, it does not matter how much saturated fat you eat, coffee is good for you, etc

You should use your knowledge of nutrition science that you will accumulate to determine whether or not the story is really science or if it is really another myth.  You can use stories from the news, video, movies, television, radio, magazines or you can simply search the Internet to find a website that offers nutrition information. 

You will carefully review the information in the story/article/video/at the site and identify any “red flags” for misinformation.  You will then evaluate the quality of the information presented.

To write this blog:

Identify a source of the story (information and provide a reference to that which could be a website, URL, etc

summarize the information, including health-related claims;

find 2 valid sources of information concerning the topic – summarize what those sources say and provide APA references

evaluate the site for bias; and search for any disclaimers.  Y

decide whether or not this is a reliable source of nutrition information, and clearly explain why it is or is not.  Use material from your readings to make your argument. 

1. Medical Television Program: Watch TV program(s) of your choice. Submit, in a      WORD document, the title of the program(s), at least 25 medical terms*      that were used in the program(s) and the definition of the term using the      process included in the book (1, 2, 3), if applicable. Points will be      deducted for misspelling, incorrect definition, and/or poor choice of      medical terms. This may require more than one program be viewed to obtain 25      medical terms. 

 
Research children’s health issues, focusing on environmental factors and links to poverty.  The assessment of environmental processes includes agents and factors that predispose communities and populations to injury, illness, and death. What correlations did your research show between environmental and health issues in the school-aged child? Make sure to include references to the article(s) you consulted.