CSFA to RN to Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA)

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Hi,

I have been trying to find an answer to this question but have not come across it so far. I am currently working as a CSFA and I am in nursing school. I was wondering what I need to do to become an RNFA once I get finished with nursing school? I am hoping I don't have to take another assistant course because I have been working in the operating room for 10 years. Seven years of being a CST and 3 as a first assistant. If anyone has any information it would be great.

Thanks

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Can't say that I can help you much other than to perhaps reach out to NIFA and see what they can tell you. Home - RNFA

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Just came across your question and I am wondering the same. What did you find out?!

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Specializes in ICU, Trauma, CCT,Emergency, Flight, OR Nursing.

You would need to get a RN job first. Hopefully you can find a hospital that will take you into the OR as a new grad and do their periop 101 program (where I work , it is still required of you, even if you worked as a tech in the OR). Once you have completed your periop 101 and been through the hospitals training program for new circulators/ scrub nurses , you will need to work for 2 years as OR RN in order to meet the requirement to take the CNOR exam. This is required for entry to the RNFA course that is offered nay a few companies. You need a BSN to do this course and then take the RNFA certification exam . Once you have the RNFA certification (and in some states, have the RNFA license ) you can apply for RNFA jobs . 

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Specializes in Nursing Student.

Recently learned that while going RN > RNFA is already a pain in comparison to CST > CSFA, that basically a CSFA becoming an RN doesn't automatically assume the title of RNFA. Basically you have to what every OR nurse that wants RNFA has to, 2 years as an OR nurse, then an RNFA program and get the CNOR before you finish the program. 
 

Basically you're better off being an RN and keeping up your CSFA certification until you can do your RNFA if you want to (it will be time and money to learn and do stuff you already know as a CSFA). Not sure if you could function as all 3 roles in a similar fashion to an RNFA that can scrub or if it's a conflict in being an RN and CSFA. There's also a small chance that an experienced CSFA salary would be more than a "new grad" OR nurse's. 

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