Authors (including presenting author) :
Tsang KW(1), Ng SL(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Palliative Medicine Unit, Grantham Hospital
(2) Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital
Introduction :
The enhancement of the nursing grade career structure in 2021 introduced the Associate Nurse Consultant (ANC) rank, aimed at bridging the transition to advanced clinical leadership roles and addressing evolving healthcare needs. To facilitate this transition, the ANC Support Group was created to provide a structured framework for professional development. The program focuses on fostering leadership skills, enhancing professional growth, and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration. By enabling ANCs to lead service enhancement projects and apply evidence-based practices, the initiative ensures their readiness for future roles as Nurse Consultants (NC). Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of passing nursing standards from one generation to the next, ensuring the sustained advancement of nursing practice.
Objectives :
1. Collaborate with nursing management and NCs to support ANCs’ role transitions.
2. Identify training needs and areas for service improvement, and provide recommendations for enhancement.
3. Offer expert advice on service improvement projects led by ANCs.
4. Facilitate ANCs’ professional development to equip them as effective clinical leaders.
Methodology :
A 24-month program was conducted with structured activities, including bimonthly meetings, mentorship sessions, project presentations, and professional development activities. Surveys and focus group interviews were conducted with 26 ANCs to evaluate the program's effectiveness and gather insights on enhancing leadership and professional growth at both departmental and cluster levels.
Result & Outcome :
1. Leadership Confidence: 95% of participants reported increased confidence in leading service development projects.
2. Professional Growth: 90% observed significant improvements in consultation skills and patient outcome evaluations.
3. Visibility and Leadership Impact: 70% gained professional visibility through project presentations at SAG, HA Convention, Quality Healthcare Conference, Asia-Pacific Conference, and hospital forums.
4. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: 70% established cross-specialty networks promoting collaboration.
5. Commitment and Readiness: 90% felt better prepared for leadership roles and committed to healthcare service improvements.
The ANC Support Group successfully supports ANCs in transitioning into the enhanced nursing career structure. By focusing on mentorship, leadership development, and preserving nursing standards, it ensures ANCs’ competence and confidence in advanced roles. This initiative serves as a scalable framework for fostering leadership capabilities, enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration, and driving healthcare innovation, contributing to improved outcomes across the cluster.
