Plenty of precedents for non-specialists being put in charge
Indeed, but not really relevant to this case, given that she is not a 'non-specialist' with regards to the one star position in question.
(This isn't aimed at you TTN, more a general point) I think perhaps the underlying problem with this case (which has been aptly displayed in this thread) is the continual perception by many that us nurses work 'for' doctors (and are therefore subordinate to them) rather than alongside them.
Arguably the only nurses who could be considered as working directly 'for' doctors are practice nurses within GP surgeries, but this circumstance is purely administrative.