Developing the skills and competencies of Mental Health Nursing students by introducing student co-facilitation of supervision groups

Staff in the Department actively use their knowledge of current research to impart knowledge and guide the students, but there is currently no research activity regarding the use of RIT. Since 2001 lecturers in the Department have facilitated weekly reflective clinical supervision for all IPL Mental health Nursing students. This is an innovative teaching approach not used in other health programmes within the University. The aim of the project was to develop this approach by using students in their supported practice placement (their final clinical placement) to co-facilitate two of the supervision groups for Year 1 and 2 students. This would develop their skills and competencies in clinical supervision and clinical practice (Bradshaw et al, 2006).