Finding a way forward: A literature review on the current debates around clinical supervision

Abstract

Nursing research increasingly calls for clinical supervision to support nurses and improve nursing practice. Despite this, clinical supervision is not well established in healthcare organisations. This paper employs a critical interpretive approach to review the clinical supervision literature. The review discusses the current debates and challenges exploring possible ways of moving beyond the current criticisms and limitations in the literature. The review concludes that despite some confusion about the quantifiable outcomes, clinical supervision presents a professionally enriching activity that provides a forum for sharing of knowledge and generation of shared understandings of health care. Through this shared experience it is possible that innovative and creative approaches to health care will be born.