New nursing roles: the experience of Scotland's consultant nurse/midwives

To describe career pathways of consultant nurses/midwives and identify postholders views on key factors in role initiation, development and progression to inform future development and appointment of nurse/midwife consultants in National Health Service Scotland.

Nurse/midwife consultants represent the highest levels of clinical practice. Given the Scottish Executive Health Department's aim to treble numbers conditions and circumstances that enable them to flourish must be identified.

A postal survey was undertaken of all nurse/midwife consultants in post (n = 16).

Key themes emerged around factors that consultant nurse/midwives considered important including mentorship, autonomy and clinical credibility. Barriers to role delivery included lack of understanding of roles and the wide scope of some posts. Considerable variation in support, conditions of service and line management arrangements was found.

Development of a recognized career pathway and a consistent approach to employment and support of postholders is recommended.