The consultation role of a nurse educator

Consultation is one component of the nurse educator's role. This role is rapidly expanding as health care changes. Nurse educators are being called on to provide support for the educational process in areas outside their clinical specialty. This article describes the educational consultation process in a large medical center where nurse educators have expanded their roles to ambulatory care areas. Key principles guiding the educational consultation process are delineated as well as possible uses. A five-stage process is described to aid the nurse educator in implementing the educational consultation process. In addition, some of the barriers that may be encountered during a consultation are identified.