Resilience-based Clinical Supervision: A Game Changer for Nurse Wellbeing
Joanna Grant
RSCN/RGN, Dip HE Community Nursing, Queens Nurse, PNA
Independent Health and Social Care Consultant
Resilience is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot in nursing, but what does it actually mean? Last year, I got the chance to really dig into that question. Through the Foundation of Nursing Studies, I took part in Resilience-based Clinical Supervision (RBCS), a structured approach designed for people working in health and social care. The particular programme I was on was just for social care nurses, and it really opened my eyes to how we can better support ourselves and each other in this line of work.
Like most nurses, I know all too well how tough the job can be. Whether it’s the emotional weight of working with people of all ages with complex care needs, or trying to navigate a system that often feels like it’s working against you, resilience isn’t just a nice extra – it’s survival. But what does it actually mean to be ‘resilient’? And how do we build it in a way that doesn’t just mean putting up with more stress?
That’s where RBCS came in. Unlike some clinical supervision, which can feel a bit like a tick-box exercise, this was different. It wasn’t just about going over caseloads or clinical decisions; it was about really unpacking the emotional impact of our work and figuring out how to keep going without burning out.
One of the things that really struck me about RBCS was how open and honest the conversations were. It wasn’t just about work either – these sessions made me realise how much my job spills over into my personal life and vice versa. The emotional load I carried from work didn’t just switch off when I walked through my front door, and at the same time, personal challenges often influenced how I handled things at work. RBCS helped me see those connections more clearly and, more importantly, find ways to manage them so that neither side completely overwhelmed me. I hadn’t fully appreciated just how much my personal and professional lives impacted each other, but through RBCS, I had the space to reflect on that in a meaningful way.
A significant challenge I faced was the fallout from carrying out a whistleblowing in 2022. After speaking up, I experienced burnout and was unable to work for many months. The emotional toll was something I had never fully addressed, and I didn’t realise just how much of an impact it was still having on me until I began to process it during RBCS. The programme gave me the space to reflect on that time, acknowledge its ongoing impact, and find healthier ways to move forward. It turns out resilience isn’t just about ‘getting through the day’ at work – it’s about recognising what’s weighing you down in all areas of life and finding ways to deal with it properly.
For me, one of the biggest lessons was the power of structured reflection. It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily chaos and not take a moment to process things properly. RBCS gave me a framework for that, and honestly, I don’t think I’d realised how much I needed it. It also reinforced something I’ve always believed—peer support is everything. Having protected time to talk openly with others in the same boat was invaluable. Being able to share experiences with colleagues who understand the emotional and practical challenges we face made a huge difference. It wasn’t about venting—it was about learning from each other, supporting one another, and building resilience together. This kind of peer support is essential in maintaining mental health and preventing burnout, and it’s something I wish more nurses had access to.
Another key part of the RBCS experience was the facilitator. The role they played was so much more than just guiding the group through the sessions. They created a safe, non-judgmental space for us to explore tough topics, and they made sure everyone had the opportunity to be heard. What really made them stand out was how they led the sessions with both empathy and professionalism. They didn’t just let us talk – we were all encouraged to dig deep into our personal and professional experiences, helping us to better understand ourselves and our resilience. The facilitator’s skill in maintaining that balance of support and challenge was invaluable in helping me grow during this process.
I was fortunate to work in an environment where the focus on well-being was evident, and this made a huge difference when I took part in RBCS. The supportive people and environment at work were integral to my experience. I had been through a particularly challenging time after carrying out a whistleblowing in a previous role and learning to trust colleagues again was a huge step. Being in a culture that encouraged me to thrive made all the difference. The combination of this supportive environment and the RBCS experience had a significant impact on my resilience and my ability to continue doing the work I care about.
Looking ahead, I’d love to see more organisations take this kind of supervision seriously. We talk a lot about workforce well-being and retention, but if we don’t invest in approaches like RBCS, we’re missing a huge piece of the puzzle. Resilience isn’t just about toughing it out – it’s about creating an environment where people feel supported, valued, and actually able to do their jobs without reaching breaking point.
Honestly, RBCS was one of the most valuable professional development experiences I’ve had, and I’d recommend it to anyone. If we really want a sustainable nursing workforce, we need to stop treating resilience like it’s just about ‘coping’—it’s about making sure people can actually thrive.