Aim: To explore clinical supervisors' perceptions and use of the Fundamentals of Care framework in supervising nursing students in clinical placement in hospital settings.
Design: A qualitative study using focus group interviews. Reported in accordance with Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.
Methods: Twelve clinical nurse supervisors working in medical, surgical or psychiatric wards in hospitals in Denmark participated in four focus groups conducted from September to November 2020. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: Clinical supervisor's perceptions and use of the framework are described in three themes: structuring students' clinical learning, supporting tool for learning what nursing care is and developing own supervision practice.
Conclusion: Supervisors perceive the Fundamentals of Care framework positively and use it as a supporting tool to structure and facilitate students' reflection on what nursing is and requires. They perceive that having a shared framework across school and clinical setting contributes to a safe and positive learning environment. Furthermore, using the framework develops their own practice as clinical supervisors.
Keywords: clinical placement; clinical supervision; critical reflection; education; fundamentals care; nursing; nursing student; theory-practice gap.
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