ANTS Marching: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study Measuring Non-Technical Skills in Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists

SIGNIFICANCE: Non-technical skills are important in the practice of anesthesia. An estimated 80% of adverse events in anesthesia can be attributed to a failure in non-technical skills (NTS). AIM: To determine whether a greater number of clinical hours in the student registered nurse anesthetist (SRNA) correlates with NTS scores observed in a simulation scenario. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective observational study of SRNAs at a single-site academic institution was performed. Two cohorts were assessed and scored for their NTS in the same individual simulation scenario as part of a nurse anesthesia program. Approximately 1 year of clinical experience difference existed between the 2 cohorts. Three researchers assigned a primary outcome NTS score to each participant using the Anaethetists’ Non-Technical Skills tool. RESULTS/FINDINGS: Three out of 15 elements proved statistically significant, with more clinical experience correlating to higher non-technical skills. All 15 elements had greater median scores in the cohort with more clinical experience. SRNAs can improve non-technical skills with more clinical experience.