What about the supervisor? Clinical supervisors' role in student nurses' peer learning: A phenomenographic study

Area of Science:

• Healthcare education
• Nursing education
• Clinical supervision

Background:

• Peer learning is increasingly adopted for healthcare students in clinical settings.
• The supervisor's role in student peer learning requires clarification to ensure quality education and patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how clinical supervisors perceive their role in facilitating peer learning among student nurses.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 student nurse supervisors.
• Data were analyzed using a phenomenographic approach to understand supervisors' views on their role in peer learning.

Main Results:

• Four hierarchical levels of supervisor understanding were identified: teacher, facilitator, stimulator, and team player.
• These levels represent a spectrum of inclusivity regarding who contributes to effective peer learning on hospital wards.

Conclusions:

• The identified supervisor roles have significant implications for the future implementation of peer learning supervision in clinical settings.
• Tailoring supervisory approaches based on these understandings can enhance the effectiveness of peer learning in healthcare education.