Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist Pilot Position in Hong Kong

Abstract
This article reports findings of a consultancy project commissioned by Hospital Authority, Hong Kong, to explore the scope of service, role competence, and contribution to patient service of senior-position clinical nurse specialists. Three clinical nurse specialists were selected for this project. The consultant guided and monitored effects of initiatives proposed by each clinical nurse specialist. The evaluation strategies were dependent on the nature of the projects proposed by the senior clinical nurse specialist. Data were collected through nonparticipant observation and interviews to address the overall consultancy project aims. This study shows that the role components of clinical nurse specialists were common across different countries. The value of the clinical nurse specialist to initiate strategies to promote cost-effective and quality care were confirmed, but the career development of these specialists remains a concern in a healthcare environment with constraining resources.