International Journal of Caring Sciences 2011 September-December Vol 4 Issue 3 107 www.inernationaljournalofcaringscienes.org S P E C I A L P A P E R The Nurse Consultant: an Innovative Role in the Greek Health Care System? Antigoni Fountouki, RN, MSc Oncology ward, “AXEPA” Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece Ourania Pediaditaki, RN, MSc Neurodevelopment Center, “Hippocration” Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece Dimitrios Theofanidis, RN, MSc Lecturer, Nursing Department, Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Greece Correspondence: Antigoni Fountouki, Ierosolomon 21, Kalamaria, 55134 Thessaloniki, Greece e-mail: dimitrisnoni@yahoo.gr Abstract Introduction: Nursing has gone through phases of being a static profession in many countries with difficulty in breaking this mold in order to escalate its full potential. In countries where innovative roles and new posts for nursing flourish i.e. nurse consultant, clinical nurse specialist and others, nurses enjoy advanced professional independence, greater respect from other health care professionals and hold higher prestige within the extended society. The nursing profession in Greece requires innovative ways to raise the expertise and profile of its members. Aim: This paper presents the merits of introducing a consultant nurse training programme and posts into the Greek National Health Care System in order actively to address the many problems facing the profession. Discussion and Conclusions: The introduction of the nurse consultant post in Greece would provide access for continual professional development of the nursing staff, open specialist career opportunities and would raise the morale and standing of nurses. As this requires change, a brief overview of the theory of change is also presented. Key Words: nurse consultant, role, Greek Health Care System Introduction Before the turn of the millennium, management experts had observed that as the 21st century approached the pace of change demanded of organizations, and those who work in them, were enormous. The advent of the information age, where knowledge is the key resource, global financial competition had led the world of work into disarray. Organizations were attempting to move from the traditional model to a modern dynamic structure where people could contribute their creativity, energy and foresight effectively. With the arrival of the 21st century the increased pace of change was evident. This was extremely demanding for all the professionals and particularly for Health Care Professionals (HCPs), globally. This constant change involved new roles for HCPs, increased technological advances in treatment and care, new therapies arising from research and also changes in hospital policies and management styles. (Shaw 2010, McKenna et al., 2008). In 2001, the British Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) identified the need for nurses and midwifes to update their professional knowledge and competence in order to be able to cope with the demands and complexities of modern professional practice. In this context the NMC now requires registered nurses and midwifes to develop a portfolio of learning and practice which includes their personal professional profile. This requirement is essential in order to renew their registration with the NMC