Action learning: a tool for the development of strategic skills for Nurse Consultants?
OBJECTIVE
This paper will discuss the process of action learning and the outcomes of using action learning as a tool to achieve a more strategic function from Nurse Consultant posts.


BACKGROUND
It is documented that one of the most challenging aspect of Nurse Consultant roles, in terms of leadership, is the strategic contribution they make at a senior corporate Trust level, often across organizations and local health economies. A facilitated action learning set was established in Brighton, England, to support the strategic leadership development of eight nurse consultant posts across two NHS Trusts.


RESULTS
Benefits to patient care, with regard to patient pathways and cross-organizational working, have been evident outcomes associated with the nurse consultant posts involved in the action learning set.


RESULTS
Commitment by organizational nurse leaders is essential to address the challenges facing nurse consultants to implement change at strategic levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of facilitated action learning had been a successful tool in developing the strategic skills of Nurse Consultant posts within this setting.


CONCLUSIONS
Action learning sets may be successfully applied to a range of senior nursing posts with a strategic remit and may assist post holders in achieving better outcomes pertinent to their roles.
Young
Sarah
S
Cardiac Department, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton, UK. sarah.young@bsuh.nhs.uk
Nixon
Eileen
E
Hinge
Denise
D
McFadyen
Jan
J
Wright
Vanessa
V
Lambert
Pauline
P
Pilkington
Carolyn
C
Newsome
Christine
C
D003253:Consultants; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D016294:Models, Nursing; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009718:Nurse Administrators; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005791:Patient Care; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012944:Social Support; D013192:Staff Development; D006113:United Kingdom