Switzerland

Nurse Anesthesia education (entry requirements):
A four-year Nursing Diploma with at least 1 year of experience

Duration: 24 months

Certification: Diploma

Number of classroom hours:

• Theory

Currently ± 450 hours.

• Research

None, participation in case studies on some education programs

• Number of clinical training hours

approx. 200 varied among the available programs.

The actually system for the Nurse Anesthetists educational program in Switzerland:

In 1978, the formal education for prospective Nurse Anesthetists was established under the guidelines of the Swiss Nursing Association. This important and powerful organization has overseen the certification of more than 2000 Nurse Anesthetists.

Switzerland is currently restructuring and standardizing their entire education system. This will have significant impacts overall, but especially in the Health Education System.

In the future, all educational programs for health professionals will be overseen by the newly founded Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET). This office is a branch of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (DFE).

The OPET is already responsible for more than 300 educational programs for apprentices; and from now on it will also manage the educational programs of health professionals.
In the near future the educational program to become a Nurse Anesthetists in Switzerland will take place in Colleges of Applied Sciences (CAS). These non-universitary colleges ensure high quality medical education and practical experience at an advanced level.

Soon each program will be geared to a Swiss curriculum in which a minimum of 900 (classroom) study hours have been planed.

Accreditation. We don’t have an accreditation program in Switzerland

Nurse Anesthesia practice:

In most hospitals and clinics Nurse Anesthetists provide general anesthesia under the supervision of a consultant (anesthesiologist). In most private and university hospitals the work of Nurse Anesthetists is less independent than in mid-range or small sized hospitals. Specific regulations will vary regionally.

Categorize of Swiss hospitals:

Large hospitals with more than 35 full time positions for Nurse Anesthetists (9 hospitals)
Mid-range hospitals between 15 and 35 full time positions for Nurse Anesthetists (13 hospitals)
Small hospitals with less than 15 full time positions for Nurse Anesthetists- (more than 125 hospitals)

With the exception of intravenous blocks, Nurse Anesthetists do not perform regional anaesthesia.

Nurse Anesthetists are also not responsible for medical assessment or diagnosis. Nor do they decide the anesthetic or method used, except in the case of an emergency.

Nurse Anesthetists work according to standardized processes and provide standardized medication for general anesthesia. They must request permission to work outside of these defined standards.

Nurse Anesthetists are also involved in pre-hospital care in 8 of 13 mid-range hospitals, in 42 of 108 small hospitals, and in none of the big hospitals. Prehospital care includes ambulance service and paramedic functions.

In approximately 50% of the hospitals some (at least one) Nurse Anesthetists work in a pain service that is organized by the Department of Anaesthesia.

Recertification: None

Webpage: www.siga-fsia.ch

Continuing education opportunities:
The SIGA-FSIA organize 2 national congresses per year. (one day in spring and 1½ days in autumn)

Professional Magazines:
“Anästhesie Journal“ (issues/year)

Contact person for country information:
Name: Matteo Gianinazzi
Email: Matteo Gianinazzi

National Association contact:
www.siga-fsia.ch

Address:
SIGA/FSIA
3000 Bern
Switzerland
Email: info@siga-fsia.ch