BACKGROUND: Collaboration between universities and clinical placements has been highlighted as a weak point of the nursing education. To facilitate a good academic learning environment a clinical supervision model had been developed. The aim of this study was to evaluate to what extent the goals of the model were met after one and a half years of utilisation.

METHODS: A questionnaire was responded to by 30 head nurses, 12 main preceptors, 193 personal preceptors, and 11 clinical nurse lecturers.

RESULTS: Most of the participants perceived that the quality criteria in the model were met to a large extent, the students' individual goals were achieved, and the supervision model contributed to fulfilment of goals, and assessment of the students. The nurse lecturers scored highest and the personal preceptors lowest in most of the questions. The conditions stated in the model were not always fulfilled. The deficiencies found were especially related to education level, time for supervision, and support to the personal preceptors.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite some shortcomings the supervision model was considered by most participants as a valuable tool to be used in an academic nursing education. Improvements of the model in regard to the findings were suggested.