Hi Vicki,

I work in theatre education in Melbourne and I am looking for nurses who have completed the course as surgeon's assistants. I wonder if you'd be willing to email me about your experience in doing the course and whether it has helped your career. I am putting togther a career's info for our post-grad students and I would like our students to know what options are out there. Kind regards, Marie.

Hi Marie,

I will give you what information I can but it was a while ago for me.

PNSA is run through Southern Cross University NSW. A minimum of 5 years experience is required prior to enrolment, 4 core units of pre, intra and post operative care . Students need to find themselves a surgeon mentor who is willing to take them under their wing and work with them in their rooms, in theatre and discharge.

My role was mainly in Cardiothoracics, harvesting leg vein and assisting at the chest, I was at a point were I could be left (under supervision) to close the chest myself. The work was undertaken in my own time and the 150 supervised hours also in my own time.

I had to get indemnity insurance so that I could work in the hospitals but also had to be accredited by the hospital board. I received no payment for my role as there is currently no Medicare levy for PNSA’s.

My nominated surgeon was happy to assist in contacting politicians but nothing ever came of it.

Two years later I qualified as a PNSA, continued my insurance and assisted occasionally. Now I don’t practice as payment continues to be an issue.

I am still glad I undertook the program and it was a great learning experience and there are many PNSA’s spread around the country who are privately employed by surgeons to assist.

Hope that information helps and if I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you very much, Vicky for your help in understanding this role. It is much appreciated.

There has been some interest in this role among our nurses and it is great for them to know about your experiences.

Kind regards, Marie.