Abstract: Expresses concern that inconsistent specialist nursing workforce planning and pathways for nursing practice development will adversely affect needed service provision for the population. Reports the outcomes of research, which suggests an alternate approach through the development of a single unified capability framework for specialist nursing practice in NZ. Uses a qualitative descriptive and exploratory multi-method enquiry approach to review extant understandings and develop a consensus framework, identifying the essential elements required for a single national framework for specialist nursing in NZ. Widens the understanding of a more holistic approach to specialist nursing development, which holds great promise for the specialist nursing workforce in NZ and internationally.