How do you become a Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA)?

Becoming a Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA)

Educational Requirements

To become an RNFA, you must first be a registered nurse with perioperative nursing experience, then complete a formal RNFA educational program that meets national standards, followed by obtaining certification through examination. 1, 2

Prerequisites

• Active RN license with current perioperative nursing practice experience 1, 2
• Minimum of 2 years of perioperative nursing experience is typically required before entering RNFA training programs 3
• Demonstrated competence in scrub nursing and circulating roles within the operating room 1

Formal RNFA Education Program

• Complete an accredited RNFA educational program that covers surgical anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, surgical techniques, and intraoperative patient management 2, 4
• Programs may be hospital-based or offered through academic institutions such as community colleges or universities 5, 4
• Educational content must include preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care across the surgical continuum 1, 2
• Training encompasses hands-on surgical skills including tissue handling, suturing, hemostasis, and wound closure techniques under surgeon supervision 1, 2

Certification and Credentialing

National Certification

• Obtain RNFA certification through examination after completing an approved educational program 2
• Certification documents the educational learning process and skills acquired, recognizing this area of expertise 2
• This credential assures consumers of competent providers and validates your specialized knowledge 2

Institutional Privileges

• Apply for clinical privileges at your healthcare facility to practice as an RNFA 6, 2
• Credentialing requirements vary by institution but typically require proof of RN licensure, RNFA certification, and documentation of surgical competencies 6
• Practice occurs under the supervision of a surgeon who holds ultimate responsibility for the surgical procedure 6, 1

Scope of Practice

• RNFAs perform surgical interventions during surgery including tissue handling, suturing, providing hemostasis, and wound closure 1
• The role encompasses all phases of perioperative care: preoperative assessment, intraoperative first assisting, and postoperative management 1, 2
• RNFAs function as non-medical practitioners working collaboratively within the surgical team 1

Career Development Considerations

• The RNFA role represents a career advancement pathway for perioperative nurses with limited other options within the surgical arena 5
• Self-employment opportunities exist for RNFAs who establish private practice arrangements with surgeons 6
• The role is considered an advanced and expanded practice within perioperative nursing 1