Clinical supervision in psychiatric nursing. A self-actualizing process.

Clinical supervision, which can be viewed as a process of engaging in a potentially supportive, trusting, and respectful relationship with a colleague, can be the gateway to a self-actualizing process that assists the nurse in performing to his or her fullest potential by fostering the growth of skill development. Clinical supervision can be therapeutic as feelings and concerns are ventilated as they relate to the educational process of learning within nurse-patient relationships. Psychiatric nurses require an orientation to the clinical supervision to reduce any misconceptions and fears. Investing time in the self-actualizing process of clinical supervision is a symbol of the nurse's commitment to quality patient care.