UAB's NP/First Assistant program

wannabemalenurse · Dec 21, 2006

I can't seem to find that on their site. Could you post a link?

cinja · Dec 21, 2006

You gave up too soon.University of Alabama School of Nursing at UAB Adult ACNP / RN First Assist

wannabemalenurse · Dec 21, 2006

Thanks for the help!

jer_sd · Dec 21, 2006

THis looks like a great program. I did a RNFA then followed with NP programs. It would have been great to get them over with a combination program.

Jeremy

cinja · Dec 22, 2006

Find any work with that RNFA and NP combo or do you have to sell yourself? What is the career field going to be like?

jer_sd · Dec 22, 2006

I work as a first assist for endovascular procedures in addition to seeing patients before/after procedures and I do some procedures myself. If does open doors to me, I can even bill medicare (as a NP not RNFA) and work for myself assisting procedures if I wanted to.

The only down side is paying extra certifications since medical staff requires current CNOR plus NP, the add in the rest of by certifications maintaing CEUs can be frustrating. But having the surgical component does add to clinical assesment and management of patients, (one area that NP education is lacking but PAs have over most of us NPs in my opinion.)

Jeremy

IVyPush-her · Dec 30, 2006

Cinja, have you talked to Theresa Wadas about the program? I have been talking to her over this last year about the program. She is very helpful with all the questions. Are you going to apply? I am hoping to apply this summer.

Good luck

Julie

BrandyNP · Jan 1, 2007

Find any work with that RNFA and NP combo or do you have to sell yourself? What is the career field going to be like?

Does anyone know if a first assist NP can bill on Medicare and other insurances? A surgeon told me that RNFA's and NP's could not bill as a first assist, only PA's.

BrandyNP · Jan 1, 2007

I work as a first assist for endovascular procedures in addition to seeing patients before/after procedures and I do some procedures myself. If does open doors to me, I can even bill medicare (as a NP not RNFA) and work for myself assisting procedures if I wanted to.
The only down side is paying extra certifications since medical staff requires current CNOR plus NP, the add in the rest of by certifications maintaing CEUs can be frustrating. But having the surgical component does add to clinical assesment and management of patients, (one area that NP education is lacking but PAs have over most of us NPs in my opinion.)
Jeremy

A surgeon told me that NP's couldn't bill medicare as a first assist. This just didn't sound right to me. In Texas, a nurse practitioner must finish an approved first assist course before they can practice in that scope. Although, I know a FNP who assists her boss (orthopedist) in surgery. I'm not sure whether he is billing for her services.

core0 · Jan 2, 2007

A surgeon told me that NP's couldn't bill medicare as a first assist. This just didn't sound right to me. In Texas, a nurse practitioner must finish an approved first assist course before they can practice in that scope. Although, I know a FNP who assists her boss (orthopedist) in surgery. I'm not sure whether he is billing for her services.

Medicare will pay all NPP's (non physician providers) to first assist. NPP's are defined as CNS, CNMW, NP and PA. The surgery has to be one that is authorized for an assist. The pay is 18% of the surgeons rate. (for comparison the rate for a physican first assist is 20%. Medicare does not require any speical training, but your hospital or state BON may require additional board certificaion or training.

David Carpenter, PA-C