MissouriAssociationof RN First Assistants

What is an RNFA?

The registered nurse first assistant (RNFA) is a technically skilled and highly educated nursing professional who renders direct patient care as a perioperative nurse, providing services preoperatively, intra-operatively, and post-operatively to surgical patients.  The RNFA assesses the patient pre-operatively for significant clinical considerations that will affect surgical care of the patient.  In the operating room, the RNFA functions interdependently with the operating surgeon.  Put simply, the RNFA assists the surgeon in the performance of surgical procedures.  They assist the surgeon intra-operatively with handling tissue, providing exposure, using instruments, suturing, and providing hemostasis.  RNFAs continue patient care by following the patient in the post-operative period by reassessing the patient's status and evaluating the effects of perioperative care.  

RNFAs are recognized by the American College of Surgeons, the American Nurses Association, the National League of Nurses, the National Orthopedic Nurses Association, and the state boards of nursing in all 50 states. 

Missouri Association of RNFAs Operational Definition:

The RN First Assistant to the surgeon during a surgical procedure carries out functions that will assist the surgeon in performing a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. The RN First Assistant practices perioperative nursing and has acquired the knowledge, skills and judgment necessary to assist a surgeon, through organized instruction and supervised practice. The RN First Assistant practices in collaboration with the surgeon during the perioperative experience (Pre-, Intra-, and Post-operative) phase of surgery. The RN First Assistant provides personalized and individualized patient care utilizing the nursing process to plan and implement patient care and education.

Purpose of Association:

The purpose of the Missouri RN First Assistants is:

1. To unite Missouri RN First Assistants in a specialty network dedicated to the continuous endeavor of promoting the highest professional standards of practice among Missouri RN First Assistants.

2. To research, study, discuss and exchange information pertinent to the field of first assisting in Missouri.

3. To provide and promote a dynamic network of RN First Assistants in Missouri, which will, address current trends and issues related to RN First Assistants, and which will promote specialized education programs for the First Assistant's continuing education.

4. To serve as a forum for RN First Assistants in Missouri in order to enhance communication.

5. To provide as a resource body of the RN First Assistants, legislators, other health care professionals and consumers in Missouri.

Activities:

Activities of the Association are to include, but not limited to: Newsletter publication, Mailings, Education, Legislation, and Research.

1. Newsletters: To provide communication to membership.

2. Education: To assess, study, discuss, and exchange information pertinent to the RN First Assistant's in Missouri.

3. Legislation: To monitor, study, evaluate and provide input into legislation and regulations that affect the RN First Assistant.

4. Research: To study, research and exchange information regarding the role of the RN First Assistant.

Membership and Dues:

Qualifications:

1. A RN who has completed a formal RN First Assistant education program, OR who has clinical RN First Assistant experience.

2. A RN who is planning to enroll, or who has already enrolled in a formal RN First Assistant education program.

3. Yearly dues are to be paid by April 1, of each year. Voting rights will be suspended for individuals until dues are brought current.

4. Annual dues are twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

Meetings:

Meetings are be held on the last Thursday of each month,7:00 P.M. , at Missouri Baptist Hospital's "Mills House" (white house at circle drive), on Ballas Road in Creve Coeur, Missouri.  All RNFAs are welcome.  

We have an annual statewide meeting.   The next location will be in St. Louis, Missouri,  March 11, 2000.  

RNFA Demographics

There are approximately 4,000 RNFAs in the United States. RNFAs are employed by hospitals and physicians, as well as being self-employed as independently contracted health care providers. In addition:

• The average age of an RNFA is 42 years old.
• The average length of time as an RN is 17 years.
• The average length of time in the operating room is 15 years.
• The average length of time as an RNFA is 4.62 years.
• 92 percent of RNFAs have CNOR credentials.

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