AIM: The aim of this study was to explore and describe nurse supervisors' views of the value of caring in nursing supervision and how they strive to make this value visible. BACKGROUND: The academic part of nursing education presupposes scientifically based nursing knowledge. Several strategies have been suggested for ensuring high-quality clinical nursing education, including nursing supervision, as it facilitates the fusion and integration of theory and practice. To achieve high-quality nursing supervision it is important to describe the supervisors' interventions. METHOD: Data were collected by means of focus group interviews and analysed by qualitative content analysis. FINDINGS: Four themes emerged: genuine encounter, consciousness of one's own value base, confirmation and a relationship characterized by learning and consolation. The supervisors' description of how they strived to make the value of caring in nursing supervision visible can be expressed as follows: the value of caring is inherent in all aspects of nursing supervision; in the narratives of the patients' situations; in relation to the professional role; and in the benefits of participating in group supervision. CONCLUSIONS: The value of caring in nursing supervision was described as a genuine encounter, consciousness of one's own value base, confirmation and a relationship characterized by learning in addition to providing consolation. The role of the supervisor is characterized by three dimensions: willingness, knowledge and courage.
AIM: The aim of this study was to explore and describe nurse supervisors' views of the value of caring in nursing supervision and how they strive to make this value visible. BACKGROUND: The academic part of nursing education presupposes scientifically based nursing knowledge. Several strategies have been suggested for ensuring high-quality clinical nursing education, including nursing supervision, as it facilitates the fusion and integration of theory and practice. To achieve high-quality nursing supervision it is important to describe the supervisors' interventions. METHOD: Data were collected by means of focus group interviews and analysed by qualitative content analysis. FINDINGS: Four themes emerged: genuine encounter, consciousness of one's own value base, confirmation and a relationship characterized by learning and consolation. The supervisors' description of how they strived to make the value of caring in nursing supervision visible can be expressed as follows: the value of caring is inherent in all aspects of nursing supervision; in the narratives of the patients' situations; in relation to the professional role; and in the benefits of participating in group supervision. CONCLUSIONS: The value of caring in nursing supervision was described as a genuine encounter, consciousness of one's own value base, confirmation and a relationship characterized by learning in addition to providing consolation. The role of the supervisor is characterized by three dimensions: willingness, knowledge and courage.