Clinical supervision models for registered professionals

Clinical supervision establishes a formal process of support, reflection, learning and development that is of benefit to both newly registered and experienced health professionals by supporting their individual development.
Clinical supervision models
There are multiple different clinical supervision models that can be considered which will be suited to different team dynamics and organisations. We aim to outline some of these models, providing a basis for employers to consider the implementation of a clinical supervision model in their own workplace.
Benefits
Some of the key benefits of clinical supervision include:
- improved patient care through increased knowledge and skills
- reduction in stress levels and complaints, and an increase in staff morale
- increased confidence and a reduction in burnout and emotional strain
- increased knowledge and awareness of potential solutions to clinical problems
- creation of new nursing roles, such as professional nurse advocates (PNAs) and legacy nurses.
Implementation
There are some practicalities to consider when implementing clinical supervision, and it is important that the supervisor and supervisee agree:
- the aim of clinical supervision and the process used
- the expectations from the supervisor and supervisee roles.
You will also need to consider how clinical supervision is implemented and delivered:
- face to face/virtual learning
- one to one/group, interprofessional model of learning
- structured framework and documentation
- responsibility of organising meetings (voluntary/optional versus pre-booked/mandatory)
- pre-meeting planning, such as supervisee reflection
- content of supervision, what is appropriate/not appropriate to discuss
- recording the supervision, and responsibility of documentation
- confidentiality, which needs to maintained at all times.