NP/RNFA

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Specializes in SICU; ED.

Hi all,

I am a 25 year old ED/ICU nurse with about four years of experience (3 of those strictly ICU) and am currently looking to pursue my NP/RNFA and work as a surgical NP following completion of my program. I've read certain places that you must have your CNOR in order to obtain RNFA...is this true? If so, is there a way for NPs to skirt around that requirement or do I need to get some OR experience under my belt.

Also, which joint NP/RNFA programs would you recommend?

Thanks!!

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

It depends on your state and what your BON has to say about it and then what your individual facility has to say about it.

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Why do you want to be a RNFA? You don't need to be a NP to be a RNFA.

In my ORs we don't have NPs or RNFAs. The NPs that the surgeons work with are strictly in the clinic or floors...

If you want to do surgery.. I'd go to PA school.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
Why do you want to be a RNFA? You don't need to be a NP to be a RNFA.

In my ORs we don't have NPs or RNFAs. The NPs that the surgeons work with are strictly in the clinic or floors...

If you want to do surgery.. I'd go to PA school.

NPs can bill while RNFAs cannot so that may be one reason. They can also manage pre and postoperative patients on the floors and do consults in the clinic and on the wards.

Every facility is different, we have NPs working in the OR and in the clinic and on wards.

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My understanding, from the research I have done is that if you wanted to be an RNFA, as an RN you need to have OR experience. However, if you are a NP, you do not need the OR experience. You would just need to be a licensed NP and complete the RNFA training and pass the certification exam. I think more NPs should strive for this, so it can become more common and familiar, instead of "oh become a PA if you want to be in the OR." I think we should have more opportunities. But everything is dependent on where you live, I guess.

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Specializes in SICU; ED.

Thanks for all your advice! I've actually settled on an AGACNP program (MSN) and will then complete NIFA RNFA after!

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Specializes in Surgery.
My understanding, from the research I have done is that if you wanted to be an RNFA, as an RN you need to have OR experience. However, if you are a NP, you do not need the OR experience. You would just need to be a licensed NP and complete the RNFA training and pass the certification exam. I think more NPs should strive for this, so it can become more common and familiar, instead of "oh become a PA if you want to be in the OR." I think we should have more opportunities. But everything is dependent on where you live, I guess.

Aquarius is correct. I completed an RNFA program about 2 years ago. Some were NPs without their CNOR.

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