Career advice

Nurse consultant: what does it take to reach this high-level role?

The nurse consultant role is the most senior and well-paid a nurse can have in the profession while remaining on the front line. We review new RCN guidance that sets out the skills and experience required for the role and the other elements involved, such as research, education, leadership and management. Nurse consultants offer advice for those who want to aim for these jobs, including how to plan ahead to make it a reality.
Nurse consultants have a high level of expertise in their area of care; a nurse consultant talks to a patient, explaining something with a smile while showing them a diagram