Toni Hains

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Toni Hains is a dedicated researcher in perioperative nursing and health workforce innovation, with a particular focus on the evolving role of nurses as surgical assistants in the Australian public health care system. Her most cited work, “Can the role of the nurse as surgical assistant add value in the Australian public health care sector?” (2021), critically examines how registered nurses and nurse practitioners have functioned as surgical assistants for over three decades, highlighting the contributions of the Australian College of Perioperative Nurses (ACORN) in defining these responsibilities. Hains’ research underscores the potential for these roles to enhance surgical team efficiency, patient outcomes, and cost-effectiveness, while addressing workforce shortages. Though her citation count is modest, her work is foundational in advocating for policy recognition and expanded scope of practice for perioperative nurses. By bridging clinical practice and health systems research, Hains provides valuable insights for students and professionals interested in nursing leadership, role optimization, and sustainable healthcare delivery. Her scholarship encourages a reimagining of traditional surgical hierarchies, making her a key voice in the discourse on value-based care and interdisciplinary collaboration in Australian hospitals.