Assistants in nursing : scope of practice and pressure injury prevention

There is greater focus on patientcentred care supported by the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (ACSQHC 2017) as well as a focus on Hospital Acquired Complications (ACSQHC 2018). In NSW one model has been the introduction of Assistants in Nursing (AIN) as part of the nursing skill mix. The AIN role was initially introduced to provide basic support to qualified nurses by assisting patients with personal care needs (Afzal et al. 2018). With current nursing workforce shortages and changing healthcare environments hospitals are increasingly utilising AINs in the acute care environment (Duffield et al. 2014). The AIN role now includes activities that were previously undertaken by regulated nurses. The AIN has become a member of the nursing acute care team. As an unregulated position, qualifications for AINs are not mandatory (Mason 2013). Courses designed for AINs are available in both the public and private sector but these courses vary in both length and content. In NSW, an AIN can have completed preparation for the role ranging from a six week course; a nationally recognised qualification such as the Certificate III Health Services Assistance; one year of an undergraduate nursing course, or 'equivalent experience' (NSW Health 2018). Therefore, an individual AIN's knowledge and experience can vary, leading to confusion around AINs scope of practice and clinical competency.