Clinical supervision: how does it work for nursing students?

Clinical supervision can be used to support nursing staff and students in difficult and stressful situations, but not everyone knows what it is or how to access it

Clinical supervision has the potential to support nursing staff and students through stressful and traumatic situations, and as such received renewed attention during and after the pandemic.

First introduced to the UK more than 30 years ago, at the time clinical supervision was defined as ‘a formal process of professional support and learning, enabling practitioners to develop knowledge and competence, assume responsibility for their own practice, and enhance consumer protection and patient safety in clinical situations’.

A form of reflective practice

RCN professional lead for mental health Stephen Jones