Evaluating the perceived impact of the nurse consultant through the lived experience of healthcare professionals

Aims and objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the perceived impact of the nurse consultant through the lived experience of the staff. Background: Ambiguities exist about the nature, function and value of the nurse consultant role to the individual, nursing and the UK National Health Service. Design: A descriptive qualitative research design was developed to evaluate the perceived impact of the nurse consultant through the lived experience of staff by the use of a 360-degree semi-structured interview framework. Interviews were undertaken with executive, senior managers, medical, nursing and allied healthcare professional colleagues. The study was based on three nurse consultants working at a University Hospital in the North East of England. A collaborative purposive sampling technique was used involving 10 participants to provide detailed, objective and relevant information associated with the nurse consultant role. Findings: Thirty semi-structured interviews were undertaken. A thematic analysis using Bowling’s approach to deciphering interview data revealed nine primary categories. With the exception of the personal qualities, the nurse consultant brings to the role. A series of generalist themes emerged associated with how the role can be enhanced in the future by involving, informing and engaging staff and by developing a phased approach to implementing and evaluating the role. Conclusions: The findings indicate that the continued success of the nurse consultant role is associated with developing a more structured approach to implementation and evaluation within the employing organizations. Relevance to clinical practice: Awareness of the nurse consultant should be raised through communication, clarification of expectations by engaging and supporting the staff in the acceptance of the role. Organizationally there should be a more phased approach to establishing, implementing and evaluating the nurse consultant.