Who attends clinical supervision? The uptake of clinical supervision by hospital nurses

Aim The aim of the present study was to identify which nurses decide to participate in clinical supervision (CS) when it is provided for all nursing staff. Background Clinical supervision is available today for health care providers in many organisations. However, regardless of evidence showing the benefits of CS, some providers decide not to participate in the sessions. Methods A baseline survey on work and health issues was conducted in 2003 with a 3-year follow-up of the uptake of CS by the respondents. Background characteristics and perceptions of work and health were compared between medical and surgical nurses who had undertaken CS (n = 124) and their peers who decided not to undertake it (n = 204). Results Differences in the perceptions of work and dimensions of burnout were found between the two groups. Conclusions Nurses attracted to CS form a distinctive group in the unit, standing out as self-confident, committed and competent professionals supported by empowering and fair leadership. Implications for nursing management Facilitating clinical supervision for committed and innovative nurses may be seen as part of the empowering leadership of the nurse manager.