Clinical Respection And Mentorship In Nursing

CLINICAL SUPERVISION AND MENTORSHIP IN NURSING: THE GAMBIA EXPERIENCE

Haddy Tunkara –Bah

Lecturer department of Nursing, University of the Gambia

Ph.D Student, Department of Nursing, University of Benin, Nigeria

Correspondence

Haddy Tunkara-Bah

C/o School of Nursing and Midwifery

P.o. box 435

Banjul, the Gambia

Email: [e-mail]

Abstract

Clinical training which is part of nursing education and professional development takes place under the direction and supervision of a trained supervisor or mentor with higher qualification in the nursing profession. However, it seems from the literature that the boundaries between mentoring and clinical supervision are not clear-cut. Nonetheless, it is broadly accepted that extensive experiences

Fowler (1995) also noted that some qualities, notably having a supervisor who is knowledgeable regarding the practice area, are dependent on the experience and knowledge of the supervisee. Sloan (1998), in a study of staff nurses, identified 10 characteristics of a good supervisor. These varied from an ability to form supportive relationships and having knowledge and clinical skills, to the need for the supervisor to be actively supportive, able to acknowledge their own limits and be committed to providing supervision. In order to provide good supervision, Morton-Cooper & Palmer (1993) argue that a supervisor has responsibilities to the supervisee (education and standard setting), the patient (should be assured of good treatment), the profession (to maintain satisfactory standards among nurses) and also to themselves (to remain up to date not only in knowledge but also in maintaining an awareness of their own strengths and

Through participation in clinical supervision nurses are able to provide feedback and input to their colleagues in an effort to increase understanding about clinical issues. In this sense clinical supervision is designed to serve a peer‑educative function. The opportunity to discuss general issues in relation to patient care also opens a window of opportunity to develop consistent approaches to standardized care. In this sense, clinical supervision provides nurses with an opportunity to improve patient care. In addition, clinical supervision provides an avenue for nurses to demonstrate active support for each other as professional colleagues. Through sharing and understanding they come to realize that they are not alone in their feelings and perceptions, thus providing reassurance and validation. This can greatly help to reduce burnout and turnover among