Endocrine Abstracts

Historically, many endocrine specialist nurses (ESN) worked in ‘isolation’, with little peer support, ‘learning on the job’, there were few external training opportunities and their roles developed according to local expectations and needs.

In 1997, a small group of ESN met to establish a support network for themselves and their colleagues. Within a year they had successfully developed links with the Society for Endocrinology (S for E), industry and patient support groups (PSGs). A committee was formed with good geographical representation across the UK and began by organising dedicated nursing symposia at the annual S for E meetings. Since 1998, they have organised an annual training course, now a conference, attracting ~75 delegates from as far as field as Australia, Sweden, Singapore, Turkey and The Netherlands. A quarterly newsletter (current distribution=274 nurses) is produced. ESN can now work towards obtaining a Certificate by successfully complete four compulsory elements for the eight credits required. These include attending three ESN conferences and one S for E meeting, successfully submitting an abstract and either, an essay ‘My contribution to good endocrine nursing practice’, or a portfolio of evidence to reflect their area of expertise and show their development as an ESN.

The last decade has seen an increase in the development of ESN posts. New posts have been created, part-time jobs have become full-time and roles have expanded as ESN have established nurse led clinics and taken on their own caseloads. ESN are now involved in supporting patients with a far greater number of endocrine conditions and their expertise is sought for many and varied roles in addition to their clinical posts, e.g. trustees of PSGs and experts on pharmaceutical nurse advisory boards. Working closely with their medical colleagues and well supported by them they are going from strength to strength.