title: Action learning: a tool for the development of strategic skills for Nurse Consultants?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Department, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton, UK. sarah.young@bsuh.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nixon
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hinge
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McFadyen
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pilkington
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Newsome
mesh_terms: 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