Australia, like other countries, is experiencing a crisis in the recruitment and retention of nurses. Clinical supervision has been suggested as a potential strategy to enhance retention. However, there is a paucity of literature regarding the successful implementation of clinical supervision. The aim of this study is to explore and evaluate ways of implementing clinical supervision as undertaken in a rural health-care organization in Victoria. Qualitative methodology was used including a documentation audit and individual interviews with the staff responsible for implementation.The findings demonstrate that the successful implementation had occurred in five interrelated stages. This paper, one in a series of three, focuses on the preimplementation phase leading up to initial implementation. The main themes identified during these stages were: organizational culture, exploring the possibilities, leadership and education and training which will be examined. These issues were essential in laying the foundation for the systematic introduction of clinical supervision.