Specialty nursing council: a peer support group for nurses in independent roles

As nurses move into more nontraditional, expanded roles, they sometimes lack a social and professional support group within the work setting. Feeling isolated and lacking support, several clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) at a large county institution began the Specialty Nursing Council. The Specialty Nursing Council provides a means of networking and support for nurses in specialty roles in a three institution health care campus. Monthly meetings are conducted to bring members together and for continuing education programs. The keys to success in forming this type of council are: 1) a dedicated group that plans, organizes, and distributes informational material; 2) common goals and objectives; 3) direct benefits to members.