Expanded roles for nurses have developed in the UK over the past 25 years and are now commonplace in most clinical settings. However, considerable confusion and difference of opinion exist about the role and its implications for practice. Shelagh Leonard describes a study undertaken to ascertain how the registered nurses who carry out expanded role activities perceive their role.

Performance audit from a clinical perspective has been widely accepted. Within Harrogate Health Care NHS Trust, a review of hours worked on day and night duty, coupled with a review of skill mix in one area, led to the successful introduction of a jobshare scheme for experienced nurses.