Commissioning nurse 'in-house' consultancy projects

Nursing leaders are often under pressure to make significant decisions without complete information or the time or funding to engage external consultants. Commissioning a project requires careful selection of a candidate and a clear definition of the expected process and outcome. The consultant should possess the confidence to explore, the diplomacy to gather data in unfamiliar territory, the openness to view a situation from various per spectives, the skill to synthesize and present information , and the ability to comprehend the context in which the project fits. Internal consultants should not hold a stake in the outcome, "winning" or "losing." Defining and establishing project goals, objectives, time frames, and resources are critical prior to announcing and initiating a project. The consultant should be provided easy access to guidance regarding data gathering methods and potential political potholes.