A qualitative study on the roles and responsibilities of nurse consultants in Hong Kong.

This study aims to explore the roles and responsibilities of seven newly appointed nurse consultants (NCs) in various clinical specialties in Hong Kong as a pioneer project. Qualitative approaches using direct observation and semi-structured interviews were adopted with two full-day observations on the seven NCs plus 56 semi-structured interviews of NCs, nurses, doctors and patients. Five major NCs' roles and responsibilities had been identified, namely providing expert practice, initiating service development, leading education, guiding continuous quality improvement (CQI) and conducting research and providing evidence-based practice. The seven NCs within this study have by and large achieved building professional excellence, respect and trust within their own spheres. It is strongly recommended that the NC post be formally established in the new Nurses Career Structure to enable expert clinical nurses to develop a clinical career to contribute to service and patient care to its maximum.