Staff nurse performance. Effects of goal-setting and performance feedback.

Goal-setting and performance feedback have motivated improved performance in various occupational groups for over 30 years. During the current time of staffing cutbacks and increased patient acuity, the nurse administrator has growing concern for the morale of the nursing staff. In this study, goal-setting and performance feedback, used in conjunction with a performance appraisal session, were successful in improving the performance of staff nurses. The author outlines the implications for head nurse training.