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Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Nurse Specialists (IBD-CNSs) provide essential therapeutic and emotional support services to patients with often complex disease. The ever-increasing role expectations, treatment modalities and rising patient population places significant demands on IBD-CNSs (Stansfield, 2019), many of whom enter the role soon after qualifying. Posts in the UK-based RCN IBD Nurse Facebook© page suggest stress is high amongst members. Sustaining IBD-CNSs wellbeing is essential for ensuring sustainability of services. Our aim was to explore experiences of being an IBD-CNS in the UK, in order to inform the wider dialogue around workforce and the wellbeing of specialist nurses.    

This hermeneutic phenomenological study used purposive sampling with maximum variation to recruit Band 6-8 IBD-CNSs who currently, or until recently, worked in NHS Trusts across the UK. Data were collected between July and September 2020, via online or telephone interviews. Focussing on personal perceptions, participants were invited to ‘Tell me what it means to be an IBD-CNS’ with follow-up prompts and probes as needed. Diekelmann et al’s (1989) team analysis method was used.  

Twenty-five IBD-CNSs participated [92% Female; Band 6 (n=3), Band 7 (n=10), Band 8 (n=13); 0.5–19 (mean 5.8) years in post; ex-NHS (n=4)]. Two constitutive patterns: 'Giving and receiving support', and 'Developing potential' were revealed, informed by relational themes addressing patients’ needs, service design/delivery challenges, workload, professional development opportunities, and peer support. Junior IBD-CNSs worried more about workload and learning the role, whilst senior nurses often struggled with the shift towards management responsibilities which they were expected to take on often without any managerial skills or training. The IBD-CNS role was often poorly understood by senior service managers, whose level of support varied widely. Some participants had techniques to mitigate against stressors, but there were also limited professional development opportunities especially in senior roles. 

IBD-CNSs are committed to patients, despite an often-burdensome workload. Structural, institutional, and hierarchical issues undermine confidence. Many IBD-CNSs are stressed by mixed messages of delivering an excellent service yet being criticised/under-appreciated by the system. Robust senior support structures lead to better experiences for IBD-CNSs. This work contributes to the UK and global data evidencing the need to pursue strategies which promote wellbeing of all specialist nurses.