Where are the practising nurse anaesthetists in Australia? Exploring an advanced practice role for anaesthesia nurses

Abstract

The perioperative environment has seen the implementation of the perioperative nurse surgical assistant as an advanced practice nursing role for the instrument nurse; however, there is currently no recognised equivalent role for the anaesthesia nurse. Anaesthesia nurses complete post-graduate qualifications and learn advanced clinical skills, and yet the authoritative body for perioperative nurses, the Australian College of Perioperative Nurses, does not define a specific role for advanced practice nursing in anaesthesia. Career advancement for the anaesthesia nurse focuses on education and management roles which are a distinct deviation from advanced clinical practice. A new role should be developed to allow the advanced practice nurse in anaesthesia to be recognised and their skills used in Australian operating rooms.