P053 New directions for postgraduate education for rheumatology nurses: the demise of the MSc?

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Abstract Background/Aims There is an expectation that rheumatology nurses practising at an advanced level will undertake a Master’s qualification to support their clinical role. This expectation is also linked to the pay scale structure for nurses. By undertaking an MSc, nurses are able to demonstrate that the learning equates with the four pillars of advanced practice including clinical knowledge and skills, leadership, education and research. Currently there appears to be less rheumatology nurses seeking to undertake a MSc qualification. The aim of this survey was to identify the educational opportunities rheumatology nurses are considering undertaking in the next 2-5 years. Methods An electronic survey was circulated via the Royal College of Nursing Rheumatology Forum facebook page, the West Midlands Rheumatology Society and through nurses who had previously undertaken the MSc in rheumatology nursing at Keele University, to share with team members. The survey was conducted between September-October 2024. The survey included questions on job role, the likelihood of undertaking postgraduate study in the next 2-5 years, other educational opportunities being sought, course content, course delivery, funding and protected study. There was also a section for free text comments. Results Sixty-three rheumatology nurses took part in the survey. The majority were clinical nurse specialists (n = 53, 84%) who were not looking to undertake a MSc in the next two-five years (n = 40, 63%). Instead, the preference was to engage in other educational opportunities including attending BSR conference (n = 46, 73%), BSR nurse events (n = 42,67%) and study days arranged by pharmaceutical companies (n = 48,76%). If academic study was being considered nurses would opt for a mixture of online and face to face teaching (n = 46, 73%) with an element of work placed learning (n = 36,57%). Essential course content included clinical skills, drug therapy, shared decision making, leadership, appraising research and non-pharmacological interventions. Challenges still existed around obtaining funding and protected study leave (n = 38, 60%). The main themes from the free text comments included 1) Limited opportunity for career progression and if there were less specialist posts available there was less need for a MSc. 2) Lack of funding and protected study time. One respondent stated ‘I think the days of obtaining an MSc are over as funding and time are a real barrier and the emphasis now is on obtaining a non-medical prescribing qualification’. 3) A need for all education to be linked to the Royal College of Nursing Rheumatology Forum competency and capability framework. 4) Seeking education opportunities via attending conferences and study days. Conclusion Due to a variety of factors including lack of career progression, limited funding and protected study time and role changes (non-medical prescribing), nurses are seeking other educational opportunities in preference to undertaking a MSc. Disclosure S. Ryan: None. K. Jones: None.

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