AB1357-HPR DESIGNING THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF NURSING COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK FOR RHEUMATOLOGY NURSES
Authors: P. Livermore, D. Finney, J. Begum, R. Wyllie, T. Cornell, H. Smith, L. Howie, L. Parker
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2020)

Background: The 1st Edition of the RCN Competency Framework for Rheumatology Nurse Specialists (RNS) will be published in March 2020. The role of the RNS is complex, and can include caring for children and young people. The importance of RNS’s 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. Education for RNS isn’t currently centralized but is key to improving skills and developing workforce for the future. RNS are in short supply resulting in problems of access to services and delays in care (BSR 2019). In all 4 UK nations the titles of RNS and proficiency vary greatly (Titrate trial 2019) This 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 which were recently updated (Beech et al, 2019). This framework maps all of these requirements. Objectives: This work supports the development of roles, improve access for patients and reduce. This document will act as a foundation for building sustainability and a more robust education and role development strategy. This work will strengthen rheumatology nursing and support all 4 UK nation’s issues regarding recruitment, retention, sustainability, succession planning and benchmarking. Dissemination is key and we will work hard with stakeholders to ensure centralization of a nationally adopted framework. This abstract submission will increase dissemination opportunities. 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 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 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: Document will be at BSR 2020 having successfully submitted a session proposal and abstract. Evaluation will begin later in the year 6 to 12 months from launch. We will measure impact 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. References: [1]Beech B, Primdahl J, van Tubergen A, et al., (2019) 2019 update of the EULAR recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ annrheumdis-2019-215458 (accessed 13 December 2019). Benner, P (1984) From novice to expert, excellence [2]British Society of Rheumatology (2019) State of Play, London: BSR. Available at: www. rheumatology.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/ Policy/BSR_State_Of_Play_Scotland2018. pdf?ver=2019-03-11-094117-440 (accessed 13 December 2019). [3]Martin N, Ibrahim F, Tom B, et al., (2017) Does intensive management improve remission rates in patients with intermediate rheumatoid arthritis? (the TITRATE trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2017;18:591. doi.org/10.1186/s13063-017-2330-8. Disclosure of Interests: Polly Livermore: None declared, Diana Finney Speakers bureau: Nordic Abbvie, Julie Begum: None declared, Ruth Wyllie: None declared, Trish Cornell Employee of: Consultant Nurse for Abbvie, Helen Smith: None declared, Lisa Howie: None declared, Louise Parker: None declared