IMPORTANT

As of Sept. 4, 2018, the following nursing colleges amalgamated to become

the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP):

• College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia (CLPNBC)

• College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC)

• College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of British Columbia (CRPNBC)

Although the information in the document you are about to access re�ects

our most current information about this topic, you’ll notice the content refers

to the previous nursing college that published this document prior to

Sept. 4, 2018.

We appreciate your patience while we work towards updating all of our

documents to re�ect our new name and brand.

PeerFeedback:LearningfromEachOther

Peer feedback is a valuable tool for self-assessment of the Registered Psychiatric Nurse. Peer feedback is simply a private conversation or discussion between you and a trusted colleague. The purpose is to review your nursing practice and identify your strengths and areas you would like to develop further. This process is different than a performance appraisal or peer evaluation. The peer feedback process is confidential to you and your colleague.

Peer feedback is a way to develop insight about your nursing practice and to validate your perspective. For example, you might discover that you were too critical in your self-assessment. Another point of view can help you be more objective. A peer can help you identify strengths or gaps in your nursing practice that you may not be able to identify.

Getting feedback is a valuable experience for both you and your peer. Sharing your ideas with a peer, either verbally or in writing, assists you in identifying areas where you both can share professional development activities related to your practice.

Be creative in choosing a peer to help you assess your practice. You have the opportunity to choose someone whose opinion you respect and whose judgment you trust. Ideally your peer should be a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in the same role as you and with whom you work.

However, it may be difficult to find a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in a similar role; you have options of choosing a Registered Psychiatric Nurse who works in a different role and with whom you interact regularly, or with whom you have done committee work, or who is in the same professional interest group as you. You could choose a

colleague who is not a Registered Psychiatric Nurse if you feel this person is able to comment on your professional practice.

Start thinking about who you would like to ask to provide peer feedback shortly after you’ve completed your self-assessment. This way, your information is still fresh in your mind. Peer feedback can also be received and given in unplanned and spontaneous moments, such as staff meetings, ward rounds, and over a coffee break.

The process of receiving peer feedback is a rewarding and learning experience for both people involved in the discussion. The table below provides some suggestions to help you and your peer with this process.

With your peer feedback process completed, you can integrate this information into your learning plan. The learning plan focuses on your identified learning needs, based on your self-assessment and peer feedback. The BCCNP website has sample learning plans for your review.

Peer feedback provides the opportunity to obtain constructive feedback on your professional practice in a collegial and supportive way. This information can be incorporated into your learning plan and demonstrates your commitment to continued competence. Your learning process continually evolves as these new perspectives and skills are applied in your nursing practice. This aligns with the BCCNP RPN Code of Ethics & standards of practice as the RegisteredPsychiatricNursedemonstratesresponsibilityandaccountability for theircontinuingcompetence. Awareness of the influence of continued learning on your nursing practice is empowering and validating for you and your peer colleague.

ASKINGFORFEEDBACK

1. Prepare the information you want to discuss with your peer.

2. Select a time and place with privacy and without distractions for your conversation.

3. Briefly indicate what you would like to cover and why it is important.

4. Discuss and review some of your practice experiences.

5. Use your self-assessment to guide the discussion.

6. Be specific about your abilities, identified strengths and areas for growth, learning and enhancement.

7. You may want to share ideas about learning activities and even plan to address them together or with a group.

RECEIVINGFEEDBACK

1. Prepare the information from your self-assessment so that you can be specific and focussed during the conversation.

2. Take time to listen, understand and consider what is being said by rephrasing and being interested in your peer’s point of view.

3. Ask questions and be curious about how your peer sees you. Ask for suggestions on how to enhance your practice and grow professionally.

4. Two questions you may want to consider: What do I do best? Is there some aspect of my practice I can improve?

5. Show appreciation for the feedback you receive. Giving feedback is not an easy thing to do.

GIVINGFEEDBACK

1. Check your reasons for accepting the invitation to give feedback.

2. Make sure you understand what your peer is asking for by restating the request in your own words.

3. Direct your feedback to what is specifically asked.

4. Be specific in your comments. Be guided by your peer and their self-assessment when offering your feedback. Be supportive and constructive in your comments.

5. Be attentive to feelings and non-verbal cues expressed by each of you. This can be done by asking “is it okay” during the conversation.

6. Be thoughtful in your comments and tone. 7. Provide time to create an opportunity for

validating and exploring practice strengths, needs and ideas.