Professional Development
Registered Nurse First Assistant Program
Next program runs October 6-11, 2008 at the Burlington campus.
Apply Now!
Please call 781-238-8434 for more information.
The Registered Nurse First Assistant Program (RNFA) at Northeastern University is New England's premier RNFA progam, and is accepted by the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI). Our CCI accepted program fulfills one component toward eligibility to sit for the certification exam (CRNFA) with successful completion of the program.
This program is now being offered for 9 quarter hour college credits.
Our comprehensive program is designed to provide experienced perioperative nurses and Nurse Practitioners with the didactic education and accompanying skills required to function in the role of surgical first assisting. Students are also taken to a Boston teaching hospital where they receive instruction and hands-on experience with minimally invasive techniques.
The Northeastern University RNFA program is a continuing education program based on the AORN Core Curriculum for the RN First Assistant, and requires 200 hours of clinical experience in addition to a one-week intensive on-campus experience.
The role of the RNFA varies from hospital to hospital, however within the scope of perioperative nursing, the role as defined by AORN may include:
Preoperatively:
- Interviewing the surgical patient for a comprehensive health history
- Performing nursing physical assessments
- Educating the patient and offering emotional support
- Evaluating the needs of the patient and of the surgical team on a continuum, throughout the surgical encounter.
Intraoperatively:
- Collaborating with the surgeon and other healthcare professionals for an optimal surgical outcome
- Assisting the anesthesiologist when applicable
- Assisting with patient positioning, skin preparation, and draping
- Providing wound closure
- Handling tissue appropriately to reduce the potential for injury
- Using and manipulating surgical instruments skillfully
- Controlling blood loss
- Suturing tissue
Postoperatively:
- Assisting in the safe delivery of the patient to the recovery room
- Communicating to appropriate healthcare personnel and family members
- Performing follow-up care to evaluate patient condition
- Participating in discharge planning and postoperative teaching
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