Department of Nursing Anaesthesia

The Department of Nursing Anaesthesia was established in the Faculty of Health Sciences in 2014.

The students gain clinical competence through practice in a variety of clinical settings and specialised acute care settings, specifically the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial [RFM] Hospital and the Mbabane Government Hospital for the anaesthetic clinical role.

The Department of Nursing Anesthesia was established in the Faculty of Health Sciences in 2014.The Faculty, then (Former College of Nursing) offered a nurse anesthetist programme between the years 1975-1979.  The Faculty of Health Sciences built on this valuable experience and technical resource to mount this department.

Programmes offered by the Department:

Currently the department is offering one program, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Anaesthesia

This is a two-year completion programme which builds on the four year general nursing and midwifery foundation and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Midwifery.

Programme duration
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Anaesthesia is a 2 year fulltime course offered in 4 Semester sessions of 15 weeks each with a 6 weeks winter intersession at the end of each academic year. This course of study has a strong focus in nursing anaesthesia theory with integrated clinical laboratory practice/simulations and a high intensity of hands-on clinical practice in selected placement areas, leadership and management and research. The last semester in the fourth year of study focuses on operational research, professional development and the nurse anaesthetist role.

Clinical placement
The students gain clinical competence through practice in a variety of clinical settings and specialised acute care settings, specifically the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial [RFM]Hospital and the Mbabane Government Hospital for the anaesthetic clinical role. These hospitals offer a variety of clients that may not be seen in any other health facility in Eswatini. The exposure provides the students with adequate advanced clinical experience required to qualify as a nurse anaesthetist.

Registration requirement for entry into practice
Graduates of the BSNA Programme will be required to register with both the Swaziland Nursing Council and the Swaziland Medical and Dental Council; and may be required to take a certification examination to be eligible for registration with the Swaziland Nursing Council.