Southern Cross celebrates 30 graduates in the Registered Nurse Anaesthetic Assistant Programme with 43 more to come

Finding new ways to solve old problems has long been a uniquely New Zealand trait. Over four years, the Registered Nurse Anaesthetic Assistant Programme (RN-AA) created and delivered by Southern Cross Healthcare has challenged the status quo, working with anaesthetist leaders in the field, building a skilled workforce used by private and public hospitals throughout the motu.

Now Southern Cross is delighted to be training the next 43-strong wave of Registered Nurse Anaesthetic Assistants. Fortunately, the new recruits have access to insights from 30 graduates who are enjoying using their skills and knowledge to care for our patients in a variety of settings across New Zealand.

The RN-AA programme has been a smashing success according to Siân Mitchell who leads the training at Southern Cross. “There’s never been a time when the health sector has needed more flexibility and to be able to scale up quickly.

“The scheme initially attracted Post Anaesthetic Care (PACU) nurses who have a skillset which dovetails well into the anaesthetic assistant role. We are now seeing more theatre nurses take up the challenge which is exciting as this means a second pair of skilled hands in the operating room should unexpected problems arise. Thanks to our RN-AA programme, nurses can now be moved between their dual roles easily, reducing the risk of patients having their surgery postponed at short notice.

“RN-AAs are a much wanted and needed labour force in private and public sectors. In the past, 50 per cent of our anaesthetic technicians (AT) came from the UK, but Covid has certainly put a halt to that pipeline. We strongly believe it’s time to future-proof our anaesthetic assistant workforce and train more people here in Aotearoa with a flexible perioperative skillset to enhance our patients’ experience.”

The Southern Cross Healthcare RN-AA programme runs for 45 weeks depending on the participant’s experience. Apprenticeship training is delivered locally in tandem with distance learning for theory. A 16-week bridging programme has also been developed to suit both New Zealand and internationally qualified nurses (IQNs) with appropriate anaesthetic assistant experience.

Mitchell said, “Whilst recognising prior learning and competence, the programme ensures practice aligns to the New Zealand standard and a pass in the final assessment is required for all RN-AAs, irrespective of their entry point. The bridging pathway facilitates nurses to work to their full capacity in a shorter timeframe which significantly relieves undue pressure on our teams and the wider system. This development has been music to recruiters’ ears, particularly as we are seeing an influx of IQNs immigrating to New Zealand who meet the entry criteria.”

When it comes to how the programme is delivering in real time, feedback is universally positive.

Raewyn Ansley-Price, who is CNM for Endoscopy, Interventional Radiology and PACU at Te Whatu Ora Waikato Hospital said, “The RN-AA programme has fostered improved relationships between ATs and nursing. Each now has a far better appreciation of what the other can offer.

“We have had RN-AAs working in PACU on countless occasions whom we have “lent” to theatre at short notice to run a general anaesthetic case that was otherwise going to be postponed or cancelled due to limited AT resource. The reverse has also been true. After-hours RN-AA support has been offered to PACU when staffing has been constrained. The flexibility and agility of the RN-AA group cannot be underestimated. They are a fabulous resource.”

Ainsley-Price went onto say, “RN-AAs have also been instrumental in providing more in-depth education to their PACU colleagues about the nuances of anaesthesia; why certain induction agents are used and how anaesthesia is delivered depending on the clinical situation they are faced with. Overall, I believe the hybrid model we now have has been a positive move and I would highly recommend any other hospital investigating the RN-AA programme to take a leap of faith and go for it.”

Aileen McGowan, Operations Manager for Theatre and Anaesthesia at Waikato concurred. “What has been great is the culture and the way in which RN-AA’s and ATs are working together. That has brought about a totally different feel to our department. When they’re in ‘scrubs’ there is no delineation of roles, and it is so good to see everyone pulling together. Our anaesthetists are very positive about the RN-AAs and fully support the training programme. They are extremely willing to invest in the RN-AAs.”

To close, Siân Mitchell said, “It’s so great to get this level of endorsement and support from the public sector. And excitingly it’s just one aspect of Southern Cross’ next generation ‘Academy’ approach to nursing workforce development.

“We’re creating pathways to attract and retain New Zealanders all the way through the nursing ecosystem. We plan to strengthen links with schools, offer scholarships and then once nurses qualify, further develop our focus on providing them with plenty of opportunities for personal growth and development.

“They can choose to enhance clinical skills with initiatives like the RN-AA programme and explore leadership opportunities in one of the most needed workforces in Aotearoa. The RN-AA project is just some of the work we’re doing in the wider public interest, all while ensuring we have access to some of the best nursing talent for our own hospitals and patients.”

About Southern Cross Healthcare

Southern Cross Healthcare (previously Southern Cross Hospitals) is the largest independent private healthcare network in the country. In the 2021 financial year, we provided elective surgery, high-end diagnostics, and cancer treatment to almost 100,000 patients at our wholly owned or joint venture hospitals and medical facilities. In addition, rehabilitation, community-based physiotherapy, mental health, and corporate wellness services are provided to New Zealanders. Southern Cross Healthcare and its joint ventures extends their services to insurance-funded, ACC, DHB and self-paying patients.

In 2019, patient feedback systems were advanced through adoption of a proven online survey platform, delivering patient feedback in ‘real time’. The results following this switch continue to position the organisation as among the best performers in Australasia in relation to patient satisfaction. Over nine out of 10 patients recently surveyed said they are ‘extremely likely’ to recommend us to friends and family.

Southern Cross is a group of independent businesses united by a shared brand with an interest in the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders. With a range of products and services and a not-for-profit ethos, Southern Cross is New Zealand’s leading independent provider and funder of healthcare.