Team assessment tool to identify strengths and weaknesses

Do happier nurses have better patient outcomes? Research shows that positive work environments are directly linked with better patient satisfaction scores, improved patient safety, and great overall recruitment and retention. Lots of attention has been given to unhealthy work environments contributing to staff burnout, disengagement, and turnover.

So, how do you shift the paradigm and turn a unit that has a lot of negativity and low satisfaction into a greater-performing unit with a healthy work environment?

To set goals for areas that need improvement, consider using a team assessment in which nurses can rate different characteristics and qualities of the team, and then summarize strengths and weaknesses so leadership can develop an action plan to address these areas for improvement.

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Team assessment

Use the following assessment to rate your team members. Rate the team as you view it today with 5 being exceptional and 1 being consistently deficient. Circle your response.

  1. Every team member has a clear idea of the team’s goals. 1 2 3 4 5
  2. All team members respect each other. 1 2 3 4 5
  3. The team communicates openly. 1 2 3 4 5
  4. The team members resolve conflict/disagreements. 1 2 3 4 5
  5. The team members support each other. 1 2 3 4 5
  6. The team members support leadership. 1 2 3 4 5
  7. There is opportunity for input into decisions. 1 2 3 4 5
  8. Team members get encouragement for new ideas. 1 2 3 4 5
  9. Team members freely express their real views. 1 2 3 4 5
  10. There is little negativity among team members. 1 2 3 4 5

Please answer in full sentences the following questions:

What are our team’s strong points (i.e., what are we doing well)?

What do we need to focus on for improvement?

What suggestions do you have to make us a stronger team?

Source: Lydia Ostermeier, MSN, RN, CHCR, Clarian Health in Indianapolis, IN. Adapted with permission.

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Adapted from: Nurse Retention Toolkit: Everyday Ways to Recognize and Reward Nurses, ©2008 HCPro, Inc. To find out more about the book or to purchase a copy, visit http://www.hcmarketplace.com/prod-6551/Nurse-Retention-Toolkit-Everyday-Ways-to-Recognize-and-Reward-Nurses.html