Mentoring and Clinical Supervision in Nursing Practice Essay

Mentoring and Clinical Supervision in Nursing Practice - Essay Example The apparent gap between the scholarship, academy, knowledge, and learning can actually only be bridged by a constant supervision while rendering clinical activity and care by the mentors of the mentees Although there is a growing concern regarding the frustration related to today's nursing environment, an attitude change is enough to beget drastic changes in the status of healthcare nursing. This is the time of rapid and phenomenal changes in the pattern of healthcare delivery mainly due to advancement in technology and progressive development of the cult of increasing application of research to accomplish evidence-based care (Mills, J.E., Francis, K.L., and Bonner, A., 2005). Despite the problem apparently is crucial, the solution to issues in the nursing work environment and nursing practice parallels it since the nurses have the opportunity to use the power that already exists in the role of bedside nurses, and that role is that of mentoring that involves clinical supervision in implementing practice. Through mentoring, the nurses can continue to create common bond, feelings of acceptance, and a sense of loyalty within the profession (Browne-Ferrigno, T. and Muth, R., 2004). Mentoring and clinical supervision are critical in nursing. ... Despite the current hectic environment, nurses must make the time to mentor and supervise juniors (Yegdich, T., 2000). Taking the example of critical care nursing that involves sound knowledge of instruments, gadgets, medicines, and the physiology of life, one can easily assume that experienced critical care nurses have a knowledge base of vast clinical expertise, and in that clinical area, nothing happens outside evidence-based practice, and therefore, management of care of the patients is not possible without the wisdom and expertise acquired over time (Jenkins, E., Rafferty, M., and Parke, S., 2000). Impact on Knowledge: Nurses who are blessed with both knowledge and expertise mainly due to extended clinical experience would naturally be called for these leadership roles including mentoring and clinical supervision in professional development of junior nurses. They are in a position to offer continuing education, to provide opportunity for growth, to encourage certification among the mentees and the supervised, and ultimately in this way, to facilitate the opportunity for the new nurse to network with others in her area (Rafferty, M.A., 2000). The nurses do have the power and capability to make a difference, thus, not only in the lives of the patients and their families cared for but also to imbibe energy and interest in the practice environment with continued mentoring and clinical supervision of one nurse at a time. It demands a belief and love for the job and confidence that changes can be brought about in the environment of work involving the care of the patients by a process of progressive and d evelopmental nurturing of those who will