Theatre nurses at Braemar Hospital can now earn top qualifications as the hospital continues to invest in staff and patient outcomes.
The hospital is investing in training for some registered nurses to become First Surgical Assistants (RNFSA) in theatre, assisting surgeons. The qualification involves undertaking part-time study at Auckland University, working with a surgeon mentor and having time at the operating table for the additional training.
General Manager Clinical Services Pru Sheahan says Braemar Hospital has about 60 nurses who work full or part-time in theatre and the hospital aims to pay the training costs for one registered nurse each year to become an RNFSA.
“This recognised and very high level of registered nursing in our theatres means we can provide an even better services for the surgeons credentialed to work with us, and it gives them consistency at the operating table.”
More than 200 specialists (surgeons and anaesthetists) are credentialed to work at Braemar Hospital and many surgeons contract their own surgical assistants. Soon they will be able to access a growing number of First Surgical Assistants within the Braemar team, making their planning and scheduling even smoother.
Pru says Braemar Hospital already uses some nurses who work at the level required for first surgical assistants in theatre, but training Braemar staff to this level shows the importance the hospital places on continuous improvement.
“This Registered Nurse First Surgical Assistant qualification not only means these staff are assisting the surgeon at a very high level in theatre, they are also able to expand their practise into post-anaesthetic care units, and can participate in pre and post-operative assessments.”
Pru says Braemar’s investment in training supports excellent nurses to attain a very high level of qualification and is an important aspect of continuous improvement.
“We know this will be a vital service for our surgeons, so we welcome their support and offers of help to mentor registered nurses undertaking the First Surgical Assistant qualification.”
Pru says funding the RNFSA qualification for some staff is part of a wider approach at Braemar to provide employees with leadership and specialisation opportunities. “We are all about making lives better at Braemar and we believe it’s important that our staff – who are there to look after our patients – are well-supported, well-paid and have plenty of opportunities for role fulfilment.”
Braemar Hospital is widely recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading private surgical hospitals. It is fully owned by Braemar Charitable Trust which works to improve health access and outcomes, through a variety of measures including free surgeries for those in need.