Program Eligibility Prerequisites:

• Must be an AD, BSN, MSN, NP, CNS, CNA, CNM registered nurse who has graduated from an accredited school of nursing. (Note: This RNFA Program addresses specific needs for Advanced Practice Nurses seeking RNFA).
• Must be licensed to practice as a registered nurse in the state in which the clinical internship will be accomplished.
• Must provide proof of RN license.
• The RNFA candidate must have a minimum of two years of recent preoperative nursing experience. This experience must include demonstrated competency in the scrubbing, circulating or first assisting roles of the intra-operative nursing dimension. (waived for NP)
• CNOR or eligibility with CNOR status obtained before graduation.
• CPR or basic life support (BCLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) preferred.
• Recommendation letters:
  • Proof of proficiency in the roles of scrubbing, circulating or first assisting.
  • Proof of ability to perform effectively in stressful and emergency situations.

o         Proof of ability to perform effectively and harmoniously as a team member.

• Proof of ability to perform effectively as a leader.

• Must provide proof of current professional liability insurance specific to the RNFA role during RNFA program 150 clinical internship.
• Advanced practice nurses are required to take the Specialty Assist NP additional RNFA educational component.
• Labor and Delivery must do C Section
• A letter from a Board Certified Physician (Sponsor).   To oversee internship portion of course.
  
  
  * AD and Diploma nurses do not need a BSN to enroll or complete program. Certified advanced practice nurses do not need CNOR nor two years OR experience to complete this program.

Course Description:

RN First Assistant Program

Length of Course: Five days of nine hours of instruction with a one hour lunch break each day.

Total Theory Hours: 45

Total Clinical Hours: 150

Class Dates: 2nd Monday of every month. The class must have a minimum of 4 students.

Course Description: This course is designed to provide theoretical instruction as well as practical skills attainment for the role and responsibility of a registered nurse first assistant.

Course Affiliation Details:

Specialty Assist is in affiliation with Prairie State College for the RN First Assistant Program.

There are 3 credit hours through Prairie State College for the didactic and 3 college credits for the clinical portion.

For any additional information, please visit the Prairie State College website.

Course Objectives:

1. To explore the role and scope of practice of an RNFA.
2. To discuss practice options and legal issues related to functioning as an RNFA.
3. To review relevant anatomy/physiology as it relates to the first assistant role.
4. To explore all aspects of the preoperative, intraoperative roles and responsibilities of the RNFA.
5. To refresh information on instruments, medical devices, positioning, draping, and surgical asepsis.
6. To develop psychomotor skills in assisting with wound exposure, handling and cutting tissue, providing hemostasis, and suturing.
7. To identify the roles and responsibilities of the RNFA in regard to postoperative client management.

Clinical Practicum Guidelines:

Each student is required to log 150 hours of assisting which cannot include passing instruments.

Documentation Requirements are as follows:

1. Assisting hour log
2. Completion of skills assessment by sponsoring physician
3. Three perioperative reports which must include:

a. Clients initials
b. Pre-operative diagnoses
c. Post-operative diagnoses
d. Surgery performed
e. Surgical findings (normal, abnormal, extraordinary events)
f. Anesthesia type
g. Position of Client
h. Skin prep
i. Draping
j. Incisional approach
k. Detail account of procedure
l. Status of hemostasis
m. Detail account of wound closure
n. Presence of drains or packs
o. Status of sponge, instrument, and needle counts
p. Estimated blood loss, was blood replaced, amount and source (autologous or blood bank)
q. Specimens
r. Condition of client at end of procedure
s. Complications

When all of the above is completed, submit the information to the instructor via mail.

Ms. Angela Daniels
5098 Maple Hill Dr.
McHenry, IL 60050
E-mail: specialtyassist@hotmail.com

Note: Make a copy of everything you send via mail for your permanent records.

Faculty:

Angela Daniels RN, CNOR, RNFA

Dale Vladek ST, RN, CNOR, CRNFA

Michael Jacoby MD General Surgery

Gwen Dean Director of Nursing
Dean of Health Professions
Prairie State College