An evaluation of an educational program for clinical supervision

Clinical supervision for mental health nurses has become an area of priority since the implementation of the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement of August 2000 in Victoria. Clinical supervision has been identified as a strategy to improve both the job satisfaction of nurses and the quality of care provided to consumers. A review of the literature suggests that adequate education for supervisors is crucial if this strategy is to prove successful. In response to this identified need, the Centre for Psychiatric Nursing Research and Practice developed the ‘Clinical Supervision for Health Professionals’ program. The evaluation of participants from the first 2 years of the program (n = 63) are mentioned here. The findings suggest a high level of satisfaction with the education provided and that it has been successful in improving participants’ attitudes towards, and level of confidence in providing, clinical supervision.