Creating insight when the literature is absent: the circle of advisors

When changes happen as rapidly as they do today, the literature is often absent. Although related literature may be available to substantiate a direction to take when faced with some issue to resolve, that literature may be vague in terms of its applicability within health care. The idea of a circle of advisors was instituted to gain insight from experts who had faced similar challenges and often had extensive networks of shared experiences. The use of a sequential dialog identified specific talents to be developed in a chief nurse executive enculturation program.