Introduction
Nurse anaesthetists form part of the perioperative team, and work alongside anaesthetists to provide safe and effective patient care during surgical procedures. Their responsibilities include preparing the patient for anaesthesia, monitoring their vital signs during the procedure, administering medications, and maintaining a safe and sterile environment. Anaesthetic nurses also play a vital role in the recovery phase, ensuring the patient is safe and comfortable as they wake up from the anaesthesia.
In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about being a nurse anaesthetist in Australia.
General Responsibilities
Anaesthetic nurses in Australia support the anaesthetist to ensure that patients receive the safest possible anaesthetic care during surgical procedures.
Their responsibilities include:
- Preparing equipment and medications for anaesthesia administration
- Assisting with patient positioning and airway management
- Monitoring patient vital signs during the procedure
- Assisting with invasive procedures, such as inserting catheters and central lines
- Providing post-operative care and monitoring patients for potential complications
Nurse anaesthetists work alongside surgeons, dentists, doctors and other healthcare professionals to ensure safe administering of anaesthesia to a patient. Their services are not only needed when performing surgical operations but also when diagnosing health conditions, delivering a baby and providing physical therapy
It’s important to note, that the role differs to the United States, where a nurse anaesthetist must undertake a Master’s degree to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthetists (CRNAs), and who is then authorised to provide anaesthesia care independently.
Courses & Qualifications
Getting Started
To become a nurse anaesthetist in Australia, candidates must be registered as either an enrolled or registered nurse, which involves the completion of a Diploma or Bachelor of Nursing.
In addition, you must also meet the criteria set out in the ANZCA professional standard PS08 ‘Position statement on the assistant for the anaesthetist‘. This includes education in several core competencies and a combination of assessments and practical experience. The core competencies include:
- Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology
- Knowledge of anaesthetic techniques, equipment, and medications
- Patient assessment and monitoring
- Airway management
- Venous and arterial access
- Equipment management and troubleshooting
- Medication administration and drug calculations
Certifications and CPD courses
As with all other types of nurses, anaesthetic nurses must continuously participate in professional development (CPD) opportunties to maintain their skills and knowledge. Specifically, they must complete a minimum of 20 hours of learning related to their area of practice each year.
Anaesthesia nurses have the option to undertake advanced clinical certifications through professional organisations such as ACPAN and ACORN.
Postgraduate courses
Anaesthetic assistants may also choose to further their learning by completing a graduate certificate, graduate diploma, or master’s degree. A postgraduate course can signficantly enhance a nurse’s specialised knowledge and understanding within their area of practice. However, it’s worth noting, that none of these qualifications enable a anaesthetic nurse to adminster anaesthesia – like their counterparts in the United States can do.
Salary Expectations
According to Payscale, the average base salary for a nurse anaesthetist is $105,545 per year. However, those with a few years experience are likely to be paid closer to $145,000 per annum.
It’s important to note that salary can vary greatly and depends on a number of factors – including where you live, your qualifications, years experience, and your employer.
Career Outlook
Job demand
The job demand for nurse anaesthetists in Australia is strong, with over 800 anaesthetic nursing jobs appearing on SEEK as of Feb 2023 . Further, according to the Australian Government’s Job Outlook website, demand for registered nurses, including nurse anaesthetists, is expected to grow strongly in the coming years, with an estimated 52,500 job openings over the five years to 2025. The website also notes that registered nurses, including nurse anaesthetists, are in high demand across all regions of Australia, particularly in regional and remote areas where there is often a shortage of healthcare professionals.
The demand for nurse anaesthetists is also likely to be influenced by demographic factors, including the ageing population and the increasing prevalence of chronic health conditions that require surgery or other medical interventions. Additionally, advances in medical technology and anaesthesia techniques may lead to increased demand for nurse anaesthetists who are trained in these areas.
Career Opportunities
While there is no defined advanced practice nursing role directly linked to formal education for anaesthetic assistants to progress to in the Australian perioperative environment, other avenues of career advancement lead into management and education roles. These roles involve a reduction in clinical practice, however, and may not appeal to all anaesthetic assistants who enjoy the hands-on patient care aspect of their current role.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to become an anaesthetic nurse in Australia, you must complete a degree or diploma in nursing and register with NMBA. While certification in anaesthesia nursing is not mandatory, it can provide advanced knowledge and skills that lead to better job opportunities and higher pay. As the demand for healthcare professionals in Australia continues to grow, anaesthetic nursing remains a vital and rewarding career path for those interested in providing quality care to patients. Pursuing continuous education and staying current with developments in the field can help anaesthetic nurses thrive in their profession and advance their careers.