How to Become A Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA)?

An in-depth review of becoming a Registered Nurse First Assist, including tips to help streamline the process.

Do you love surgery? Are you fascinated by the intricacies of the operating room? Are you an operating room nurse wanting to further your career?

As a former operating room nurse and current surgical nurse practitioner, I can say yes to all of these. Becoming an RNFA was a somewhat confusing process for me. Luckily, I have done the leg work for you! Here is the "Ultimate guide to becoming a Registered Nurse First Assist."

This article will cover the RNFA role's basics and provide an overview of the National Institute of First Assisting (NIFA) program.

What are the responsibilities of an RNFA?

A Registered Nurse First Assist is an expanded perioperative role that the Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses defines as "first assisting responsibilities are further refinements of perioperative nursing practice and are executed within the context of the nursing process." Under the direction of the surgeon, RNFAs can: Provide surgical exposure, use intra-operative medical devices, provide hemostasis, handle and cut tissues, wound closure, and management of the surgical wound.

What are the qualifications to become an RNFA?

The requirements may vary by state; however, AORN defines qualifications as follows:

1. CNOR- Certified Perioperative Nurse

2. Completion of the RNFA Program

3. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

There are no specific requirements for years of practice; however, to become a CNOR, you must have two years of training or 2,400 hours.

National Institute of First Assisting (NIFA)

Overview

NIFA is accredited and one of the most popular RNFA programs in the US. What I loved about this program was the hybrid format! The didactic portion is online, combined with a single three or five-day in-person workshop available at various locations across the United States throughout the year. Once completed with the didactic portion and the in-person workshop, you must complete 140 hours of clinical experience.

Qualifications

For RNs:

1. CNOR or CNOR eligible (must complete CNOR before graduation)

2. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

3. Current full or part-time employment in a perioperative setting

For NPs:

1. Perioperative experience is waived with proof of national certification as a Nurse Practitioner

* NPs with perioperative experience may choose the 3-day workshop instead of the 5-day one.

Cost: $5000 all-inclusive

Tips for Success

1. Identify a training facility immediately! The earlier, the better. Hospitals can take months to approve students to complete their hours, so start the process early. If possible, complete your hours at the facility you work at., and this will make the process much easier.

2. Give yourself time! It can take a few months to a year to complete the program.

3. OR Nurses: If you are an OR nurse (especially if you scrub), you will want to choose the 3-day workshop over the 5-day workshop. The first two days are the basics of the operating room. This will all be reviewed for you and is geared toward students "new to the OR."

4. Practice, Practice, Practice! Be sure to complete all the required modules before attending the workshop. The workshop is fast-paced, and they expect you have the basics of suturing down! You will get the most benefit from the workshop if you have practiced.

Nurse Practitioners

Although it is not technically required to become an RNFA to work in surgery as a nurse practitioner, many facilities require NPs to have completed an RNFA course to receive privileges. Unless you have experience in the operating room, most NP programs do not provide an educational opportunity for surgical NPs.

That's where NIFA comes in! As an OR nurse, I had extensive surgical experience. The one thing I was lacking was the experience with suturing and wound closure. NIFA provided excellent online education and a fantastic in-person workshop. Upon completion of the NIFA suture star workshop, I felt confident in all the major suture techniques to complete my clinical hours. NIFA makes the process easy, and their customer service is top-notch! If you're interested in becoming an RNFA or surgical NP, I highly recommend the National Institute of First Assisting.

Visit the National Institute for First Assisting website for more details on enrolment!