Clinical supervision for nurses in administrative and leadership positions: a systematic literature review of the studies focusing on administrative clinical supervision

Aim The aim of this systematic literature review was to describe administrative clinical supervision from the nursing leaders’, directors’ and administrators’ perspective. Background Administrative clinical supervision is a timely and important topic as organizational structures in health care and nursing leadership are changing in addition to the increasing number of complex challenges present in health care. Methods The material in this review was drawn from national and international databases including doctoral dissertations, distinguished thesis and peer‐reviewed articles. The material was analysed by means of content analysis. The theoretical framework for the analysis was based on the three main functions of clinical supervision: administrative, educational and supportive. Findings The findings demonstrated that the experiences of the administrative clinical supervision and its supportiveness were varying. The intervention was seen to provide versatility of learning experiences and support in challenging work experiences. Administrative clinical supervision effects and assures the quality of care. The effects as a means of development were explained through its resemblance to a leading specialist community. Conclusions The findings support earlier perceptions concerning the importance and significance of administrative clinical supervision for nursing managers and administrators. However, more research is needed to develop administrative clinical supervision and to increase understanding of theoretical assumptions and relationships of the concepts on the background.