Planning a career: Assisting in the OR

[jonnygnurse]

I understand this topic has been beaten to death, but after searching the sight forever,I still can't seem to find a concrete answer. I am hoping that if I phrase the question a little differently, your replies will help me make an impending decision. I have posted before about my regrets having chosen RN as opposed to PA (already have BS in biology), for reasons only related to surgical assisting opportunities. This is my last semester of nursing, and residency application deadlines are looming, in which I need to state primary and secondary interests. I live in the North Texas area and am lucky enough to have secured an ICU preceptorship this semester. Sadly, our curriculum includes little OR exposure and the role of surgical assisting is never broached. At some point I would like enter an ACNP program, but nothing is concrete, as I am trying to formulate the most efficient career pathway to surgical assisting. Other than applying for perioperative residency, I am not certain of the next step. Is scrubbing a necessity to gain experience, or is the role so diminished in the RN profession that finding a job would be impossible? Is RNFA redundant as an NP, in which case experience must be gained under a willing physician? Is first assisting unattractive to physicians giving reimbursement differences between PA and NP? I would greatly appreciate your opinions on the "best" career pathway to first assisting.

Thanks

Jon

[Alicia777, MSN, NP]

Hey Jon!

I've been a Surgical NP for a little over a year now, I was an OR RN for 10+ years before that. I can't say it's been easy getting here and I have relied heavily on my RN experience just to get my foot in the door.

I think you should go for the OR residency. Learning to scrub would be ideal but sadly that job is being performed more and more by techs now. Even if you only circulate though, this will be the most relevant 'experience' you can bring if and when you become an NP and apply for a surgical position since almost all NP education is for the outpatient.

I would highly recommend getting your RNFA, in my state it's actually required to be a first assist but it will also give you some tools for learning. I got my first job to cover the 4K cost.

Surgery is a good place to be. Great work/life balance and great pay. I don't have call, don't work weekends and leave on time or early.

Good luck

[jonnygnurse]

Thanks for the great info! So am i correct in assuming that RNFA is not required to assist (dependent upon location), but provides the education/knowledge that now illusive scrubbing would provide, but take longer to acquire?

Thanks

Jon

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

Thanks for the great info! So am i correct in assuming that RNFA is not required to assist (dependent upon location), but provides the education/knowledge that now illusive scrubbing would provide, but take longer to acquire?

Thanks

Jon

I meant to quote, not thank[emoji16] At my hospital, if you want to assist the surgeon you have to be a PA or an RNFA hired by that surgeon. You cannot be a first assist without one of these things. You can go to school to become a scrub tech but the pay is a lot less than what an RNFA would make.

[Alicia777, MSN, NP]

Thanks for the great info! So am i correct in assuming that RNFA is not required to assist (dependent upon location), but provides the education/knowledge that now illusive scrubbing would provide, but take longer to acquire?

Thanks

Jon

I would check with your BON. Like I mentioned it's required here. The certification will not give you scrubbing experience but more of a platform to begin the process of becoming a good first assist. Half of my class had no prior OR experience and we spent about one hour teaching them how to Don sterile gloves and gowns so it's really weak in that area. There was also no instruction on instrument names. It's the basics of how to sew and tie knots etc..