Effective consultation in nursing

Given the fiscal challenges within health care today, nurse administrators, whether acting in the role of client or consultant, must determine the most effective and efficient way to solve problems and achieve goals. The consultation process can be viewed from both the client's and the consultant's perspective. This article is intended to provide a practical approach to addressing the issues within the consultation process. The steps of the consultation process are reviewed. The evolution from solving problems to achieving goals is described. The importance of the use of a screening tool when interviewing prospective consultants is emphasized and an example of a generic screening tool is provided. During the interview, consultants are advised to clearly determine the problem or goal, the outcomes which the client expects, possible barriers and risks, and the philosophical fit between both parties. Nurses practise consultation skills daily and, therefore, consultation is a viable opportunity for self-employment.