P99 National competency framework for rheumatology nurse specialists
Authors: Finney Diana I , Parker Louise , Smith Helen , Howie Lisa , Cornell Trish , Begum Julie , Livermore Polly , Wyllie Ruth 
Published: April 2020

Background

The first edition of the RCN Competency Framework for Rheumatology Nurse Specialists (RNS) will be published in February 2019. The role of the RNS is highly complex and several issues have driven the need for this work. The importance of RNS was highlighted by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS 2017). The British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) outlined the need for education, training supervision and work force development. There are no overarching paediatric rheumatology nurse competencies other than the biologic competencies (BSPAR 2019). Education for rheumatology nurses is not currently centralised but is key to improving skills and developing our workforce for the future improving services. Both RNS and rheumatologists are in short supply resulting in problems of access to services and delays in care (BSR 2019). In all four UK nations the titles of RNS roles and proficiency vary greatly (Titrate trial 2019) which is likely to have an impact on patient experience and outcomes. The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) developed recommendations for the role of the RNS in the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis which were recently updated (Bech et al, 2019). They outline three key overarching principles and 8 key recommendations. This framework maps all of these requirements.

Methods

Online data sources were searched for the most relevant and current evidence. Where research evidence wasn’t available, existing and new knowledge was utilised from a consensus of clinical expert and patient opinions, several rounds of consensus discussions took place virtually and face to face. RCN Rheumatology Nurse Forum Workshop attendees in June 2019 also answered a questionnaire to elicit views and demographic information regarding roles.

Results

The workshop questionnaire results demonstrated 100% (n37) agreement with the development of the framework and that only 2 respondents had completed a competency process. 60% were RNS. Of these 52% (n13) were band 6, 47% (n9) were band 7, and 1% were band 8 consultant nurses. The questionnaire highlighted the need to develop the framework. Results were fed back to the working party to inform the domains to be included.

Conclusion

We will launch the document at BSR 2020 having successfully submitted a session proposal and also hope to disseminate updates on the impact of the document at subsequent events. Evaluation will begin with a call for expressions of interest. We will use 4 pilot sites (in all 4 nations) designing a questionnaire. We measure dissemination success using a variety of methods including membership Facebook pages and the questionnaire at point of download request. We will measure where and how the competency is being used and adoption of the framework throughout the UK at 6 -12 months from the launch. We hope this abstract submission will increase dissemination opportunities.

Disclosures

D.I. Finney Honoraria; DF has received an honorarium for presenting at a symposium. L. Parker None. H. Smith None. L. Howie None. T. Cornell Corporate appointments; Trish Cornell is a consultant nurse working for Abbvie ltd. J. Begum None. P. Livermore None. R. Wyllie None.