The working group on nurses' careers is scheduled to be convened this year and will consider all aspects of the nursing career structure including:the implementation of nurse consultant posts across the NHS in Scotland, taking account of experience of piloting the initial posts funded centrally in 2000-01;a development scheme for nurse leaders of the future;how to build on the impetus provided by the new Nursing and Midwifery Practice Development Unit;how best to provide structured support for newly qualified nurses during their initial period of NHS employment.