Nurse-surgeons in the Australian public health system: A descriptive quantitative survey
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: With over five billion people worldwide lacking access to surgery, innovative solutions are vital to address the global surgical crisis. Nurse-surgeons present a promising innovation. Considering their contribution worldwide and impact on surgical care in Australia, an exploration of these advanced practice nurses is timely. To investigate the roles, training, education, and perceptions of career prospects and support received by practicing nurse-surgeons in the Australian public health system. Non-experimental descriptive national survey The target population was nurse-surgeons practicing within the Australian public health system. The survey questionnaire comprised of four sections containing questions on nurse-surgeon demographics, roles, training, and perceptions of career prospects and support received. Data collection was conducted through emailing of public hospitals, crowdsourcing, and snowballing. Descriptive analysis was used to report the findings. Twenty-eight nurse-surgeons participated in the study, 22 females and six males. Most commonly, participants ( n = 10) held master's degrees and trained to become nurse-surgeons for an average of 2·27 years (95 % CI [1·47,3·07]). Training programs varied but were all surgical specialty-specific, and usually included a practical component, theoretical component, and competency assessment prior to independent practice. Participants rated employment prospects for nurse-surgeons as poor to average due to limited work opportunities, politics, and strong pushbacks from Australian medical societies. The support received from nurses, surgeons and management was rated by participants as good providing reasons such as supportiveness, value recognition, jealousy, and resentment. The participants were very likely (95 % CI [7.436 – 9.364] to continue practicing due to positive job satisfaction but recommended the standardising of training and practice to ensure role futureproofing. Nurse-surgeons have been practicing in Australia for decades, yet no standard training and credentialing pathway exist for them. This study identified the various roles, non-standard training, and perceptions of nurse-surgeons in the Australian public health system. The findings of this study will have an impact on policymakers and stakeholders to develop standard national credentialing pathway for nurse-surgeons in Australia to enhance clinical practices and ensure a consistent framework for recognition and development of these advanced practice nurses. • Modern nurse-surgeons have been practicing globally since the 1950s. • Nurse-surgeon implementation in many local systems around the world has led to surgical waitlist reduction, timely patient access to essential surgeries in remote and rural communities, and prevention of mortalities. • Nurse-surgeon practice in Australia may have started in the late 1970s to early 1980s. • This study found Australian nurse-surgeon roles spanning across diverse specialties such as endoscopic and general surgeries and engaging in supplementary roles, including research and nurse-led clinic consultations. • There is a need for a standard national credentialing pathway for nurse-surgeons in Australia.
Language: English
Topic: Nursing Roles and Practices
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,580
OpenAlex ID: W4404513468