'Let me tell you what I really think about you'--evaluating nursing managers using anonymous staff feedback

The evaluation of employees by their superiors is standard managerial practice but the value of the evaluation of superiors by their employees is much less recognized. This study describes a project where for 3 years (2000-02), in an Israeli mental health center, the Director of Nursing, clinical supervisors, ward head nurses and their deputies were evaluated by nurses and nursing aides. Feedback was gathered through anonymous questionnaires under conditions of confidentiality. Based on the findings, steps were taken to improve managers' performance. Evaluators were also requested to evaluate the project's contribution to themselves and the hospital in a second, open questionnaire. All parties, evaluators and evaluated, expressed satisfaction and recommended that the project continue on a regular basis. Nurses felt empowered and respected and that manager-subordinate relations were improved. Other results and recommendations are discussed.