Advanced practice nurses in the UK will be required to demonstrate Masters level competencies by 2010. This is challenging for specialist nurses caring for adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD), due in part, to the relative recent appearance in significant numbers of this patient group.

In the past nursing skills were learnt through experience gained through caring for children requiring surgery for congenital heart disease, and adults requiring surgery for acquired heart disease. Understanding of physiological principles contributed to appreciating the impact of pathological changes. While fulfilling a joint education/clinical role I gained experience of ACHD in practice and increased requests for teaching programmes related to ACHD.

Currently in an education role enables taking a strategic perspective to staff training related to minority patient groups such as ACHD. The evolution of government policies related to people with long term conditions has provided opportunities to explore common themes. Due to relatively small numbers of registered nurses involved in care for ACHD, taught courses are impractical. This difficulty has been overcome through offering work based learning programmes for health and social professionals completing undergraduate and post-graduate awards.

Masters and PhD level programmes are being devised to enable advanced practice nurses to explore patient care aspects related to their practice in relation to ACHD. Common areas may be identified with other patients with chronic childhood conditions who are now frequently surviving to adulthood.