Background: There is an urgent need to increase the research capability and capacity within the nursing and midwifery workforce, to underpin evidence-based care. Aim: To explore the perceptions of nursing service leaders and academics of the Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE) Nursing and Midwifery Clinician Researcher Career Pathway for acceptability and utility. Methods: Using a qualitative descriptive design, data were collected via an online focus group and one individual semi-structured interview. Content and thematic analyses were undertaken. Findings: Data from 22 participants were included in the analyses. Most participants were female (82%), employed within Local Health Districts (LHDs) (29%), universities (24%), and both LHD and university (47%). There was strong support for the SPHERE Nursing and Midwifery Clinician Researcher Career Pathway. Four major themes were identified: (ⅰ) Current disintegration of the clinician researcher rol