Nurse first assistant: an evolving project in Québec

Changes in the work environment, quotas imposed on the number of resident physicians, scientific and technological advances, and nurses having to play two roles, that of scrub nurse and of nurse first assistant, have all contributed to the development of a new role, that of nurse first assistant. For the purpose of providing optimal quality care to patients and at the request of its surgeons, the Montreal Heart Institute has presented a project to the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec and the Professional Corporation of Physicians of Québec. The project was accepted by both bodies. The OIIQ moved in favour of recognizing the function of nurse first assistant in September, 1994, and the PCPQ gave its approval for the project on March 30, 1995. A 186 hour training program was developed. The two selected nurses have been trained and have been integrated into a medico-surgical team since February, 1996. The Nurse First Assistant pilot project will be evaluated in February, 1997.