Organisation‐Wide Peer‐Group Nurse Unit Manager Clinical Supervision: Mixed‐Methods Evaluation
Rebecca J. Jarden, Helena Bujalka, Emma Barker, Nonie Rickard, Stephen Mckeever, Bernadette Twomey, Kristina Edvardsson, Susan Harvey, Aaron Jarden, Naomi BrockenshireABSTRACT
Aim
To explore and describe Nurse Unit Managers' experiences of supervisor education and peer‐group Clinical Supervision.
Design
Mixed methods exploratory evaluation.
Methods
Nurse Unit Managers at a large tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia, were invited to engage in clinical supervisor education and subsequent peer group clinical supervision in 2023 and 2024. A convergent parallel mixed‐methods evaluation was conducted, involving a longitudinal survey of wellbeing (pre‐ and post‐program) and semi‐structured interviews (60 min). Repeated‐measures analyses were reported, and interviews were analysed thematically.
Results
Of the 50 Nurse Unit Managers who participated in the program, 39 (78%) completed the baseline survey, and 25 completed the post‐education survey (36% attrition from baseline). Exploratory analyses suggest
Conclusions
An innovative approach to implementing clinical supervision for nurse unit managers may contribute to supportive and connected Nurse Unit Manager communities.
Patient or Public Contribution
No patients, service users, caregivers, or members of the public were involved in this study. Instead, this study was focused on the experiences and perceptions of nurses.
Reporting Method
The study was reported according to the Good Reporting of A Mixed Methods Study (GRAMMS) guidelines.
Implications for the Profession
Combining Clinical Supervision supervisor education and subsequent peer‐group Clinical Supervision could be a valuable strategy for enhancing Nurse Unit Manager job satisfaction, work relationships, and overall flourishing. Co‐designing and incorporating Clinical Supervision education into professional development programs may actualise positive impacts on both individual wellbeing and team dynamics.