From novice to expert: Exploring surgical First Assistants and the conceptual integration of their role in robotic surgery

Competing demands and pressures in health services in the United Kingdom have led to the creation of specialist roles in nursing. One such role is that of Surgical First Assistant (SFA). SFAs are specialist nurses or operating department practitioners who work in operating theatre departments and provide clinical assistance to surgeons and the wider clinical team. In this article, Benner’s novice to expert framework is adopted to examine the progression and abilities of SFAs at different stages. A case study is also used to examine a nurse specialist’s transition into the SFA role. This article conceptualises the development and training needs of a SFA in an era where robotic surgery is enhancing practice in many specialities. Each SFAs journey is unique depending on their experiences and encounters within their operating theatre environment, and this may influence their progress and skill development which can affect their ability to maintain an expert level in practice. This paper suggests that through the development of a formalised and specialist robotics training pathway, SFAs may have scope for further practice development in this area.