The Perioperative Nurse Surgical Assitant (PNSA) of the future

Abstract

Advanced practice nurse (APN) roles have been implemented across all areas of the Australian health service and have extended into the perioperative environment in the form of the perioperative nurse surgical assistant (PNSA) or non-medical surgical assistant (NMSA). With a growing and ageing population, Australia will see an increased demand for acute care nurses. For the PNSA role to expand to meet this demand, the role requires recognition and regulation in Australia. Education programs also need to meet the increasing demand for acute care nursing and provide quality, accessible and collaborative education programs to meet the needs of all nurses in Australia, including those in rural and remote areas.

Benefits and impacts of the PNSA role: surgeon and nurse perspectives

“…The potential barriers to perioperative nurses becoming PNSAs was explored in the research to identify future potential workforce shortfalls, due to a projected increased demand for surgical services. 23,29 PNSAs contribute to the provision of surgical service delivery in rural public health services, where demonstrated doctor shortages exist and advanced practice nurses are required to meet future service demand. 2,23 With barriers to perioperative nurses pursuing the role of PNSA in Australia; however, and ongoing obstacles relating to professional recognition and accredited remuneration pathways for PNSAs, an expanding PNSA workforce or broader scope of practice for improved surgical patient care is improbable in the imminent future, and a challenge for the distant future.…”

“…What this paper adds • The knowledge, skills and qualities of the PNSA provide a nexus within the operating team, with the surgeons they assist and to develop a positive culture with the surgical environment. 16,23 Studies into the role of the PNSA have identified multiple patient-centred benefits throughout the phases of perioperative care; preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative. 2,4,5,7,8,13,18,26,27 Such benefits relate to the areas of leadership, educational resource, patient education, operating theatre efficiency, reduction of surgical site infection, patient advocacy, knowledge of anatomy, instrumentation, equipment and surgical procedures, and collaboration between professional, medical and allied health groups.…”

“…22 The PNSA role has been shown to benefit patients and communities, by expanding access to surgical services, particularly in rural areas, where inconsistency of medical assistants and medical practitioners is limited and unreliable. 15,23 However, the expansion and broader utilisation of PNSA roles in Australia continues to encounter barriers without support from the NMBA. Limitations relate to health service utilisation of PNSAs and access to funding schemes (such as Medical Benefit Scheme).…”