Psychiatric nurses' conceptions of how a group supervision programme in nursing care influences their professional competence: a 4-year follow-up study

Abstract

The aim of the study was to describe, after 4 years, psychiatric nurses' conceptions of how a 2-year group supervision programme within nursing care had influenced their professional competence. The intention of group supervision in nursing care is to understand nurses' experiences within real care settings and to structure these in a professional and personal context. Ten psychiatric nurses participated in a 2-year group supervision programme. They were interviewed 4 years after the group supervision was ended. Data were analysed according to the phenomenographic method. Six description categories emerged: a feeling of job satisfaction; gaining knowledge and competence; gaining a sense of security in nursing situations; a feeling of personal development; realizing the value of supervision; and a sense of professional solidarity. The findings of the 4-year follow-up showed that a group supervision programme in nursing care had lasting influences on the psychiatric nurses' professional competence in the form of a pronounced professional identity and an integrated nursing care perspective. Group supervision contributes to maintaining the strength and energy needed to carry on working, which makes continuing supervision necessary. An important research implication could be to investigate the type of knowledge that ought to be developed within group supervision in nursing care.