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As a newly registered nurse or midwife, you may make clinical errors or need extra support with time management and prioritisation.
While there might be an underlying reason – maybe you’re overwhelmed with a new rotation or facing challenges in your personal life – it’s likely your manager will approach you to put a plan in place to ensure your practice is safe.
Don’t panic! ANMF is here to ensure you’re receiving the support you need to successfully complete your grad program.
If you’re contacted about being placed on a plan, lodge a member assistance request ASAP so we can ensure you’re receiving procedural fairness.
Learning or coaching plans
Being placed on a learning or coaching plan is a standard process that most health services implement. It should be an informal, supportive learning opportunity, not punitive!
- You should be given concrete examples why this plan is being suggested
- The objectives must be clear, measurable and have an end date
- The plan should specify how your employer is going to support you:
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- Will you have a consistent educator?
- Will you be provided with some extra supernumerary days?
- Will your roster be changed to AM shifts so you have access to more support?
- Will you be offered weekly debriefs?
Hot tip: Don’t sign any document you are provided about your work performance without ANMF advice. It is okay to say ‘I need to review this before I sign’.
What happens when the learning plan expires?
If you meet all your objectives, you’ll have a final meeting with your manager to conclude the process.
If you continue to have difficulties and aren’t consistently meeting the objectives, your employer may choose to implement a performance improvement plan (PIP).
Performance improvement plans (PIP)
Like with a learning plan, a PIP should have clear, achievable and measurable goals and timelines to ensure you improve. This is a formal process and your employer must:
- put it in writing
- invite you to a meeting
- offer you the chance to bring a support person or union representative (ANMF)
Some managers may ask you to ‘have a chat’ and you unexpectedly find yourself in a room with HR and other people you mightn’t know.
Just say ‘Oh, I didn’t realise this was a formal meeting, can you please put this in an email, and we can reschedule when I can get an ANMF rep with me.’
Then leave.
You have a right to have an ANMF rep with you.
Hot tip: Don’t sign a PIP or attend any meeting without ANMF assistance. Lodge a member assistance request immediately so that your organiser can attend your meeting and ensure the performance management process outlined in your EBA has been followed.
Seek help
We often hear from graduates on learning plans and PIPs that they’re making more mistakes because of the fear of making mistakes and feel like they’re under a microscope.
It can be hard to move away from this mindset but try to see it as a learning opportunity to help you. PIPs are much more common than you think and some of your experienced colleagues may’ve been on one.
Please ask for help. The Nursing & Midwifery Health Program Victoria is free, confidential and staffed by nurses and midwives with counselling training who understand the pressure you’re under. Phone 9415 7551 or admin@nmhp.org.au
