Program Overview

RN First Assistant Program

The RN First Assistant Program provides students with a thorough grounding in principles and the intricate skills necessary to assume responsibilities in scrubbing, draping, retracting, exposing, clamping, ligating, and suturing.

Program Description

This program is designed for Registered Nurses (RNs) and Nurse Practitioners (APRNs) who wish to further their surgical and operating room careers as RN First Assistants (RNFA). The program consists of 52 hours of lecture and laboratory, plus a required independent preceptorship of 120 hours.

What You Can Learn

• Acquire a strong foundation in principles and intricate skills necessary in scrubbing, draping, retracting, exposing, clamping, ligating, and suturing
• Understand the RNFA role, implementation of standardized procedures, hemostasis, wound healing, and closure
• Understand principles of surgical emergencies, general surgery, urologic surgery, gynecologic surgery, anesthesia, and pharmacology

Curriculum

Lecture and Practicum Topics

• Introduction to the RNFA Role
• Implementation of Standardized Procedures/Protocols
• Medical/Legal Aspects to Expanded Practice
• Reimbursement Issues
• Surgical Emergencies
• Pharmacology
• Wound Healing
• Wound Closure
• Hemostasis
• Anesthesia Concepts
• General Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• OB Gynecology
• Electrosurgery Concepts
• Orthopedics
• Plastic Surgery
• Endoscopic Surgery

Eligibility Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• RN license
• Two years of operating room experience in scrubbing and circulating
• Board Certified/or eligible APRNs are also accepted into the program
• Perioperative OR nursing experience is preferred

Preceptorship

Preceptorships are arranged by students for completion of the required 120 hours. The requirements for the preceptorship will be reviewed during the first class session. Successful completion of the preceptorship is required prior to the certificate of completion being awarded.

Additional Requirements

• Malpractice insurance must be obtained before beginning preceptorship
• Basic life support provider certificate must be obtained before certificate of completion is awarded
• CNOR must be obtained before certificate of completion is awarded

Application Process

1. Complete the application and pay the application fee.
2. Attach the following documents in PDF format:

• RN license
• Evidence of a baccalaureate degree in a related field
• Curriculum vitae/resumť noting two years of operating room experience in scrubbing and circulating
• Two letters of reference on official hospital letterhead from supervisors or surgeons knowledgeable about your competencies

Affiliation Agreements

An affiliation agreement can be created specifically for the duties of the RNFA preceptorship if required by your hospital/organization.