Professional Experience Placement

The article I blogged last week by (White 2016) led me to delve back into the literature regarding the origins of clinical supervision. I found a paper by an Australian author Yegdich (1999) who addressed the differences between clinical and managerial supervision of nurses, in which she revealed her perception of some the historical considerations of this role and function within the nursing profession.

The invisibility referred to, by White (2016) can in part be attributed to this perception by nurses, that clinical supervision was about control (managerial) and nurturing (clinical) supervision to ensure high quality care of patients. This dual role facilitated resistance by some nurses who were concerned about the managerial aspects having an overemphasis. Further ambiguity emerged due to lack of clarity of its purpose and with natural resistance to change, this conflict between nurses and clinical supervisors fulminated. Over time, there has been a number of iterations of models of clinical supervision of nurses in Australia that are dissimilar to other nations. The paper provides information about the development of the American and UK situation, of which neither fit the Australian situation.

Yegdich (1999) also discusses the theoretical underpinnings of clinical supervision which includes the development of the inclusion of  reflection being important to promote critical thinking.  The author moves on to discuss the development of the role and function of clinical supervisors and the attributes these practitioners need to develop to model appropriate behaviour with students. In the discussion Yegdich (1999) acknowledges the misunderstandings associated with the dual role of clinical supervision and the opportunities missed by the profession for having resistance to change or misunderstanding the tenet of the role of clinical supervision. The author concludes by stating that clinical supervision neither substitutes nor supercedes the necessity for the nursing profession to develop national, normative standards and competencies of care. Thankfully, we do now have RN Standards in Australia and less need for managerial supervision.  However, the legacy of confusion, still continues even though we may not be sure how or why it developed in the first instance. As White (2016) indicated clinical supervision of students is necessary to ensure the next generation of nurses have had the benefit of being guided and supported by clinical supervisors.

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