NICOLA Sturgeon has vowed to use every power she has at her disposal to make Scotland a better place to live in when she becomes First Minister.

The SNP leader-elect made the pledge as she kicked off a six week roadshow around the country designed to let the SNP and voters know what she stands for.

Speaking at a packed event for Nationalist members at Edinburgh's Corn Exchange tonight, Ms Sturgeon said she would use "every power I have at my disposal at any time to deliver the best outcomes for the people I serve - and that is all the people of Scotland."

The incoming leader, who takes over from Alex Salmond next month, warned the Westminster party leaders that the independence referendum last month had changed Scotland forever.

She said of the debate over extra powers for Scotland, which saw the appointment of Lord Smith of Kelvin to head up a new Commission designed to deliver a new Home Rule settlement: "Whatever politicians at Westminster might hope for, there's no going back to business as usual."

She added: "The challenge for us is to reflect that change in how we conduct ourselves."

SNP membership has gone from over 25,000 on September 18, independence day, to over 83,000 making it the third largest party in the UK by membership.

She said: "We must use our new strength as a party to engage positively, intelligently, and respectfully with a population that is more engaged and better informed that ever before."

She called on parties to put narrow self interest aside and work towards the 'greater good.'

Ms Sturgeon said it was important to concentrate on what unites the nation in an effort to heal any lingering divisions from the referendum.

She added "If we do all of that, I believe we can create a momentum for change in our country that is unstoppable.

"Of course, where that change leads us will not be dictated by politicians.

"It will be driven, in the words of the US Constitution, by 'We the people'.

She told her audience that they should make "no mistake" about her intentions to lead Scotland to independence.

Ms Sturgeon said her opponents had got it wrong by claiming she did not accept the No vote. Not only did she accept it, she said, but the Yes campaign failed because it did not "persuade enough people of the positive case for independence.

She called for the Yes supporters to put their frustrations of the disappointing result behind them.

Ms Sturgeon added: "Whatever frustrations we might feel about the nature of the No campaign, the scaremongering, the negativity - the fact remains that it was our job to convince people to vote Yes. No-one else's.

"We came close - very close - but we fell short.

She continued: "I reserve my right to keep making the case. To keep trying to persuade. Because that is democracy too."

The First Minister in waiting said there was no "short cut to independence. No back door. No low road," just the "high road of democracy."

She added: "Whether we succeed - I believe we will - and when, will depend on many different factors, events and circumstances.

Outlining how she will conduct herself as First Minister and SNP leader, she added that her job would be to respect the views of those who voted No.

She added: "We must understand their reasons - even if we don't agree with them - and resolve to be more persuasive in the future.

"And we mustn't allow our disagreement on independence to blind us to the many things we all agree on.

"As First Minister, I will work to build as much unity and common cause in our country as I can.

"For me, One Scotland is not just a slogan - it is a principle that should guide us as a nation.

"There are many who voted No in September who are open to persuasion in future.

"I know a few who have changed their minds already."

She said her job as FM would be to serve the entire country, whether they voted Yes or No.

She added: "Our differing views on independence don't mean that there aren't many other aspirations that we share for our country.

"There are. Aspirations of a healthy economy, strong public services, and a flourishing democracy.

"That is why, for each and every day that I hold office as First Minister, I will govern this country to the very best of my ability - and I will do so for all of Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon added that independence "is the means, not an end in itself."

She added it would mean better lives for young people and children, a fairer, more prosperous society and a strong economy - with no nuclear weapons.

She added: Independence will give us so much more opportunity to deliver these objectives. There is no doubt about that.

"But I am committed to these objectives in all constitutional circumstances.

"So I will use every power I have at my disposal at any time to deliver the best outcomes for the people I serve - and that is all of the people of Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon also said she was proud of the achievements of the SNP in office since 2007, including on the NHS, including increasing funding by £80m more than planned.

She added: "I also know from my experience as Health Secretary the challenges that those who deliver healthcare face each and every day.

"And I know the debt each and every one of us owes them for what they do.

"My pledge to them and to all of Scotland is this.

"If I am First Minister, the NHS for me will continue to be a priority - a daily priority.

"I will work tirelessly to protect and improve it."

She said it would be up to the Scottish people to decide when another independence referendum will be held.

She added: "Every time one of our political opponents suggests that I rule out a referendum, it seems to me that they miss this fundamental point

"Whether and when there is another referendum is not just down to what I do.

"It will also depend on what they do.

"They'll never persuade us that independence is not best for Scotland.

"But if they want to stem rising public demand for another referendum, there are some pretty obvious things they need to do.

"They need to deliver - in full - on their promise of more powers for our Parliament. No ifs, no buts, no wriggling off the hook. Real powers on the economy, on tax, on welfare.

"They need to stop cutting our budget and imposing policies that drive our children into poverty.

"They need to make sure they don't take us out of Europe against our will.

"And they need to think again about using us as a dumping ground for a new generation of Trident nuclear weapons.

"Friends, my over-riding message to you this evening is this.

"Always look forward, never back."

Ms Sturgeon added that the referendum result had been deeply disappointing, but she had the opportunity to lead the country on a new chapter in its journey.

She added this would not be done by berating people who disagree with us, but by respecting and working with them.

She added "By persuading, through our actions and the strength of our arguments that, in time, we should go further still. That we should become independent."

The Edinburgh event is Ms Sturgeon's first in a six week tour of towns and cities in Scotland over the next six weeks.