subject: Nursing Consultancy in brief [print this page] Nursing Consultancy in brief Nursing Consultancy in brief
Consultancy in nursing is a very new concept especially in Africa, which might be nonexistent as a nursing specialty. Consultancy has a very broad perspective. It is the giving of expert advice, diagnosis and confirmation of nursing problems and a parier in the nursing field of choice that is, being at the highest level of nursing practice. These consultants work directly with patients and also have management responsibilities.
Some of the functions in nursing consultancy would involve
Provision and reception of referrals
Making independent or delegated medical prescriptions
Exercising clinical skills of the highest order by drawing from the vast body of advanced knowledge in nursing and allied fields
Perform tasks with professional autonomy
Involved in critical decision making
Involved in first time decision in any case brought forth
Provides advisory and supporting roles to clients and colleagues alike
Involved in professional leadership
Does educational, training and development activities
Provision of practice and service development as well as
Involved in research and evaluation of all things nursing
Consultant Nursing will provide new opportunities for nurses to challenge orthodox practices, take risks in which they are accountable, learn from their experiences as well as given the chance to provide bedside care even in managerial/administrative positions.
In this role as consultant the nurse
Will be in a better position to set and improve standards and aid in better nursing delivery.
Will have the opportunity to expand and apply clinical skills and accepting responsibility for decisions made.
Is provided with a good career development opportunity, most often synonymous with increased pay.
Will practice independently as consultants, lending their services to all in need.
Many nurses have acted as consultants in situations, without necessarily calling themselves nursing consultants. However, the new consultancy role is different from pre-existing roles in that it has a multidimensional facet, with the nurse actually having the title of NURSING CONSULTANT. This means the nursing consultant work at the bedside taking care of patients, work in partnership with all for the greatest benefit of patients in all age groups. Their role is distinguishable from other specialties due to leadership functions, strategic level of planning and policy issues.
The consultant role is still in its infancy in some countries and nonexistent in others. There is very little or no formal training in becoming a nursing consultant. With the functions outlined above and the career opportunity involved, it is imperative nurses take up this role.
