Clinical supervision for nurses in the HIV sector

Judith Gorst: Family Therapist, Victoria  Introduction  What is clinical supervision for?  Confidentiality  Why should nurses working in the HIV sector be provided with routine clinical supervision?  Remote and indigenous communities  The impact of COVID-19  Conclusion  Resources Introduction  Clinical supervision is not the norm for people working in nursing and midwifery, though it is well established …

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The Australian Clinical Supervision Association (ACSA) defines supervision as:  ‘A formal professional relationship between two or more people in designated roles, which facilitates reflective practice, explores ethical issues, and develops skills (2). The ACSA emphasises that it is not based on a hierarchical relationship or culture, and that the power lies with the supervisee.  The …

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Central to all supervision is confidentiality. All supervisees must be aware of the meaning and the limits of this principle.  The supervisor must maintain a clear boundary between the supervisees and the employer/organisation. They will only report any concerns to the employer if they sense that the supervisee is at risk or is placing clients …

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There are a variety of reasons why clinical supervision is relevant for nurses caring for people with HIV. Since HIV has become a chronic condition rather than a life-threatening, terminal illness there is now a far greater emphasis on care in the community. Working in the community or general practice requires the nurse to work …

Why should nurses and midwives working in the HIV sector be provided with routine clinical supervision? Read More »

As mentioned previously, clinical supervision has not been regarded as an essential part of a nurse’s professional development. Factors such as workplace culture, organisational factors, time, an appropriate location, and the availability of technology, for instance Wi-Fi and computers, all act as potential barriers. For nurses working in remote settings and with indigenous communities, this …

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COVID-19 added a new layer of complexity for health care workers. At times it might be hard to recall the level of fear, anger and distrust that accompanied the pandemic. The risks of exposure to COVID-19 were very real. Everyone operates within a system and COVID-19 added another element to this system (4-6).  Nurses and …

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Clinical supervision, through its restorative or supportive function, can address the mental health and well-being of frontline health workers through facilitated reflective practice, debriefing, and strengthening the supervisee’s stress management and coping mechanisms (8).  The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance for healthcare workers of support (8).  We cannot foresee what the future holds nor …

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Australian Clinical Supervision Association 

Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. Clinical Supervision Position Statement. Canberra: Australian College of Mental Health Nurses; April 2019. ACSA. Clinical Supervision: A Working Definition. Forest Lake, Qld: ACSA Definitions Report; 2014. Martin P, Kumar S, Tian E, Argus G, Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan S, Lizarondo L, Gurney T, Snowdon D. Rebooting effective clinical supervision practices to support …

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