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MissouriAssociationof RN First Assistants
Consumer Fact Sheet
Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA)
"A quality cost-effective alternative for the surgical patient"
Amid America’s inevitable health care reform changes and insurance cutbacks, the nationally recognized profession of Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA’s) is proud to announce its unique position to offer cost-effective, quality first assisting and nursing care for the surgical patient.
As an educated, certified, and licensed professional, the RNFA can provide a multiple-role solution to our health care crisis that is in alignment with today’s health care reform philosophy.
As a provider of surgical assisting, the RNFA may be reimbursed by insurance companies for services rendered at a significantly lower cost to the consumer and insurance industry without compromising the quality of patient care.
The RNFA is a Registered Nurse with a minimum of five years clinical/didactic education, certification, and experience. These five years include the following chronological requisites:
At least two years secondary education for Registered Nursing (RN) licensure;
At least two years practicing professional nursing in the operating room milieu;
Achievement of national Certification in Operating Room Nursing (CNOR) which indicates
satisfactory completion of two years perioperative nursing,
proficiency in the practice of caring for patients perioperatively, and
documented validation of professional achievement of identified standards or practice as defined by the national Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN).
One academic year of tertiary education for the RNFA that indicates the ability to assist the surgeon at the operating room table as well as at the “bedside,” evidenced by
competency in performing individualized surgical nursing care management before, during, and after surgery;
competency in recognizing surgical anatomy and physiology and operative technique related to first assisting;
competency in carrying out intraoperative nursing behaviors of handling tissue, providing exposure, using surgical instruments, suturing, and controlling blood loss;
competency in recognizing surgical hazards and initiating appropriate corrective and preventive action including, but not limited to, recognizing abnormal lab values and diagnostic test results; and
achievement of Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and/or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification.
The RNFA is responsible preoperatively for:
interviewing the surgical patient for a comprehensive health history;
performing nursing physical assessments;
educating the patient and offering emotional support; and
evaluating the needs of the patient and of the surgical team on a continuum, throughout the surgical encounter.
The RNFA is responsible intraoperatively for:
collaborating with the surgeon and other health care professionals for an optimal surgical outcome;
assisting the anesthesiologist when applicable;
assisting with patient positioning, skin preparation, and draping;
providing wound exposure;
handling tissue appropriately to reduce the potential for injury;
using and manipulating surgical instruments skillfully;
controlling blood loss; and
suturing tissue.
The RNFA is responsible postoperatively for :
assisting in the safe delivery of the patient to the recovery room,
communicating to appropriate health care personnel and family members,
performing follow-up care to evaluate patient condition, and
participating in discharge planning and postoperative teaching.
RNFA employment opportunities include:
hospital-based settings,
ambulatory care settings,
collaborative practice with physicians, and
independent practice (self employed).
First assisting is within the scope of nursing practice of all fifty state boards of nursing. Many major professional organizations recognize the RNFA role, including :
The American College of Surgeons (ACS),
The Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc (AORN),
National League of Nursing (NLN),
The American Nurses Association (ANA),
The National Association of Orthopedic Nurses (NAON),
The Missouri State Board of Nursing,
The Missouri Nurses Association (MONA), and
The Missouri Board of Healing Arts
As a concerned health care consumer, you can empower and “assist” YOURSELF by requesting your surgeon employ the services of an RNFA. In so doing , you will be supporting the endeavors of the RNFA professionally and politically! Support RNFAs legislatively, and you will positively “assist” health care reform! For further information regarding Registered Nurse First Assistants contact:
Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc
RN First Assistant Specialty Assembly
2170 South Parker Road, Suite 300
Denver, CO
Registered Nurse First Assistant:
“Combining knowledge and skill for assistive solutions!”
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