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​​​​Nurses receive feedback on their practice from many sources: from other nurses, colleagues, families, a​​​nd clients. All feedback is valuable, whether it is received verbally or in writing.

Peer feedback

Peer feedback provides nurses an opportunity to obtain feedback on their professional practice in a collegial and supportive way. This aligns with the BCCNM standards of practice as nurses (BCCNM registrants) demonstrate responsibility and accountability for their continuing competence. Awareness of the influence of ongoing learning on their nursing practice is empowering and validating for nurses and their peers.

Peer feedback can help a nurse objectively identify areas in their practice where they can improve. A peer can also help a nurse identify strengths in their practice that they may not be able to identify themselves. A trusted peer or colleague is a valuable source of insight into a nurse's own practice.

How does it work?​​

Peer feedback usually involves a private, confidential conversation or discussion between a nurse and a trusted colleague. It allows a nurse to review their practice and identify their strengths and areas they would like to develop further. It can provide nurses with insight into their practice and validate their perspective. Peer feedback is not a performance appraisal or a peer evaluation.

Giving and receiving peer feedback is an important part of nursing practice. Sharing ideas with a peer, either verbally or in writing, assists nurses to identify areas where both can share professional development activities related to their nursing practice.

When is t​he rig​​ht time?​​

Nurses should consider who they'd like to ask to provide peer feedback shortly after they've completed their self-assessment during registration renewal. Pe​er feedback can be received and given during a planned interaction or in unplanned and spontaneous moments such as staff meetings, ward rounds, or during a coffee break. It can occur at any time throughout the year to help nurses identify behaviours “in the moment" that they'd like to improve on and behaviours they're proud of and would like to model.

Multisource feedback​​​​

It's also valuable to approach the feedback process in a more structured way. Nu​rses will be informed before renewal when its their year to participate in the multisource feedback process.

Who should nurses ask for feedback?​​

Nurses should be thoughtful in choosing a peer to help them assess their practice. It's an opportunity to choose someone whose opinion they respect and judgment they trust. It's also an opportunity to talk with someone who works in a different role.​​

In addition to their nursing peers, nurses are also encouraged to approach colleagues fro​​m a different nursing designation (i.e., LPN, RPN, RN, or NP), and non-nurse colleagues, like an occupational therapist or physiotherapist—as long as this person is able to speak knowledgeably and helpfully on the nurse's professional practice. They can also invite an unregulated professional colleague (i.e., HCA, unit clerk, etc.) to provide feedback.​

​​​Additional tips for NPs​​

Nurse practitioners are encouraged to seek peer feedback from another nurse practitioner within the same s​​tream of practice (Adult, Family, or Pediatric) or from a physician.

When giving or receiving peer feedback, NPs should discuss the areas they identified in their self-assessment and cr​itical review of client documentation.​​​​​

​Have a question?​​​

​​​All practising registrants interested in QA support are encouraged to contact us:

900 – 200 Granville St
Vancouver, BC  V6C 1S4
Canada

info@bccnm​.ca
604.742.6200​
​Toll-free 1.866.880.7101 (within Canada only) ​


We acknowledge the rights and title of the First Nations on whose collective unceded territories encompass the land base colonially known as British Columbia. We give specific thanks to the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking peoples the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-ulh Sníchim speaking Peoples the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), on whose unceded territories BCCNM’s office is located. We also give thanks for the medicines of these territories and recognize that laws, governance, and health systems tied to these lands and waters have existed here for over 9000 years.

We also acknowledge the unique and distinct rights, including rights to health and wellness, of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples from elsewhere in Canada who now live in British Columbia. As leaders in the settler health system, we acknowledge our responsibilities to these rights under international, national, and provincial law.​