Clinical Supervision and Burnout Among Nurses: A Scoping Review.
TL;DR
Clinical supervision is frequently associated with burnout and burnout-related indicators among nurses, and clearer intervention reporting, stronger theoretical grounding, and research designs capable of exploring temporal and contextual dynamics are needed to advance the field.
Abstract
Aim
To map existing scientific evidence on the relationship between clinical supervision and burnout and burnout-related outcomes among nurses in clinical practice.
Design
Scoping review.
Methods
The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. A total of 1396 records were identified and imported into Rayyan for screening. Data were synthesised descriptively using absolute and relative frequencies and presented in narrative and tabular form. DATA SOURCES Searches were conducted in February 2025 in CINAHL Complete, Nursing & Allied Health Collection: Comprehensive, MedicLatina, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, and Web of Science Core Collection. Grey literature was searched in OpenGrey and the Portuguese Open Access Scientific Repository (RCAAP). No time or language restrictions were applied.
Results
Twenty studies were included. The evidence base was heterogeneous and predominantly cross-sectional. Clinical supervision in Nursing (CSN) was mainly delivered face-to-face and most frequently in group formats, with considerable variability in frequency, duration and theoretical grounding. Burnout was primarily assessed using validated instruments, particularly the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Nine studies reported inverse statistical associations between CSN and burnout or burnout-related outcomes.
Conclusion
Clinical supervision is frequently associated with burnout and burnout-related indicators among nurses. Clearer intervention reporting, stronger theoretical grounding, and research designs capable of exploring temporal and contextual dynamics are needed to advance the field. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT Clinical supervision may represent a context-sensitive organisational support strategy within broader workforce well-being frameworks, particularly when structurally defined and supported by leadership. IMPACT This review clarifies how clinical supervision has been conceptualised and evaluated, identifying reporting gaps and priorities for future research. REPORTING
Method
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Review. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION No stakeholder consultation was undertaken. Future research should consider involving practising nurses and supervisors to define core CSN components. TRIAL REGISTRATION The protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework.