Should aspiring consultant nurses follow a medical training programme?

AimTo investigate the level of educational preparation current consultant nurses felt was required to prepare aspiring consultant nurses for the role.BackgroundThe radical introduction of the consultant nurse role was thought to be groundbreaking. This new role was to provide better outcomes for patients by improving the service and quality of care delivered to patients. With such great expectations of these professionals there was little guidance available as to the appropriate preparation for such a new and innovative role.MethodA national survey was undertaken of the Department of Health Consultant Nurse Emergency Care group (n = 18).ResultsKey themes emerged around the development of a medical model of educational preparation for this role, as well as the development of a national programme of preparation. The majority favoured the current medical model and certainly supported the concepts of interprofessional programmes of study in universities.ConclusionsFurther work is required in developing a nationally recognised programme of preparation for the role.