Question for surgical NPs?

[Julius Seizure]

I am looking for my first job as an NP, and found a job posting for a "Cardiothoracic surgery NP/PA". I was reading over the job description and I was hoping somebody here could give me a clearer picture of what a job like this might look like before I decide to apply. Specifically, the call-every-third-night part. Has anyone worked in a job like this?

Position Summary:

The practitioner functions as a health care provider within Cardiothoracic Surgery Services for the purpose of providing age-appropriate and culturally sensitive care.

This position is open to Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PA-Cs)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

-The practice will involve care and management of patients in the Cardiothoracic Surgery Operating Room setting.

-Care will include verifying admission H & Ps and preoperative consents of Cardiothoracic Surgery Services patients.

-Practitioner will perform first assist duties (in collaboration with the attending) during the entire intra-operative course.

-Practitioner will initiate referrals and follow up on consults to other providers.

-Practitioner will take call every third night for the Cardiothoracic Surgery team.

[Dodongo, APRN, NP]

Did you get any training in the OR during your program? If not then this job might be a long shot as they list first assisting as part of the job description.

[Futuremurselyfe]

Job sounds like an excellent experience. But yeah...think you would need an RNFA certif to do this since unlike PA's, NP's don't have this kind of training.

[Neuro Guy NP, DNP, PhD, APRN]

You don't HAVE to have RNFA training as a legal requirement in most states with the exception of New Jersey. On the job training will suffice as an NP. Perhaps they are willing to do that.

That being said, you would be better off being an RNFA. But if they seem willing to educate and you don't have first assisting, then still go for it! Cant get the experience if you don't give it a shot.

Yes, PAs get more surgical exposure in their programs, but it's not like they come out as OR experts but the exposure certainly does help them. Trust me I precept all the time so I know.

Long story short: the only baseball you're guaranteed NEVER to hit is the one you don't swing at. Good luck.

[Dodongo, APRN, NP]

I'm not saying they would NEVER train you. Notice I said it would just be a long shot. It's hard enough to get a job, let alone in a very specialized area that is heavy on skills that you were never exposed to or trained in. That employer would have to be extremely generous. I think it's realistic to assume they will hire the person that is qualified and they feel will hit the ground running.

Now if you know this employer and have a good relationship then your chances are much better.

[Julius Seizure]

Job sounds like an excellent experience. But yeah...think you would need an RNFA certif to do this since unlike PA's, NP's don't have this kind of training.

Yes, I was kind of surprised to not see RNFA as part of the job requirements. I have no OR experience, only surgical ICU.

But I also did clinicals with general surgery, and those NPs told me that technically part of their job is to assist the surgeon in the OR if needed - he just never needs them to actually do it. So I wasn't sure if it would be a similar scenario, where it was more of a "possible" than a "daily" part of the job.

[Julius Seizure]

Thanks for the input, everyone. To be honest, its not my dream job...its just one of the only open positions in my area right now

Hopefully some more opportunities will open up, but if not at least I can apply to this and see what they say about it.