Registered Nurse First Surgical Assistant
The first postgraduate training programme for registered nurse first surgical assistants has commenced at the University of Auckland, funded and supported by Health Workforce New Zealand.
Thirteen experienced theatre nurses are being trained as surgical assistants between July 2010 and December 2011 with clinical placements undertaken at Auckland DHB and several private hospitals across New Zealand.
This advanced role builds on the theatre nurse role and provides a new specialist career pathway and portable qualification which will aid nurse recruitment and retention. Nurses are continuing to develop their skills and extend their scope of practice across all specialities as part of innovations that ensure we make the best use of the potential of all members of the healthcare team.
The training programme will prepare registered nurses with the scientific concepts, knowledge and skills for the role of registered nurse first surgical assist within the operating theatre.
Delivery of the course involves a range of teaching and learning strategies including lectures, discussions, tutorials, hands-on simulated practice sessions, and practice based supervised experience involving verification by surgeons of surgical competencies.
The programme is appropriate for senior nurses with substantial intra-operative experience.
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Registered Nurse First Surgical Assistant (RNFSA)
"There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a patient who had previously been troubled with an orthopaedic problem presenting to our clinic at their six-week check with a spring in their step and a smile on their face." - Amelia Howard-Hill, RNFSA