Attitudes of nurse-faculty toward post-tenure performance evaluations

While non-tenured faculty receive feedback on their work in their annual evaluations for reappointment, many tenured faculty do not receive evaluations and feedback except when seeking merit award or promotion. Recent literature suggests that feedback on work at fixed time intervals, through post-tenure evaluations, can positively enhance faculty productivity. This survey study examined the attitudes of faculty teaching in baccalaureate and higher degree programs in nursing toward post-tenure performance evaluations. A random, nationwide sample of 248 nurse-faculty participated in this study. Data analysis showed that attitude toward post-tenure evaluation was not significantly related to such variables as tenure status, perceived productivity in teaching, service, scholarship, internal motivation, age, teaching experience, sex, educational preparation, or rank. Faculty clearly stated that they desire feedback on their work, an opportunity to define future objectives, and a post-tenure evaluation system in their own schools.