title: Stress relief or practice development: varied reasons for attending clinical supervision.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to explore the differences in the uptake of clinical supervision on the medical and surgical units of an acute hospital relating to the nurses' background and perceptions of their work and health.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Considering the varied challenges of nursing in different specialities, the reasons for attending clinical supervision may also vary.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2003, a survey on work and health issues was conducted in a Finnish university hospital with a 3-year follow-up of the uptake of clinical supervision by the respondents. The nurses who subsequently undertook clinical supervision and their peers who decided not to undertake it were compared in five medical (n=96) and nine surgical units (n=232).
  
  
  RESULTS
  On the medical units, stress management motivated the uptake of clinical supervision, whereas on the surgical units, reasons relating to practice development predominated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reasons for attending clinical supervision can be quite different depending on the basic tasks and organizational culture of the hospital unit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If clinical and managerial supervision are meant to support and complement each other, the nurse manager should be involved in discussions about the needs and goals of clinical supervision provided for staff.
authors.affiliation: Kuopio Psychiatric Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. Aija.Koivu@kuh.fi
authors.forename: Aija
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koivu
authors.forename: Pirjo I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Saarinen
authors.forename: Kristiina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hyrkas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory; D015279:Organizational Culture; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*