New Georgia NP interested in RNFA

[npkee]

I am a new NP and am going to work for a group who also does some surgery, but have no prior surgical experience. I will have some (small amount) of surgical assisting. I have been researching RNFA programs and requirements.

I will be the first NP to work at my hospital in a surgical capacity, and credentialling is turning into a fun experience

Does anyone know what the laws are for Georgia for an RNFA? I have found two different documents: one states that being an RN, having CNOR, AND an RNFA educational program is required; the other one states that being an RN & going through an RNFA program is sufficient. The difference is one code has an "OR" after the CNOR requirement, and one has an "AND". My questions is - which one is the law?

I can go through the RNFA program and work as a First Assist, but if Georgia requires CNOR, then I cannot function as a first assist until I have enough hours to sit for CNOR.

Anyone have an answer?

Thanks,

Mark

[jerrysgirl]

Mark,

AORN Standards for RNFA education waive CNOR (Certified Nurse Operating Room) for the advanced practice nurse (certified), so my opinion would be that you are fine with the RNFA Program without CNOR. I have never heard of one state requiring our NP RNFA students to sit for CNOR. Having said that, you still need to verify. I would write some of the links I have added below off of the AORN Legislative page:

Name:

Pat Moody & Kathryn Thompson Email:

[email protected]; [email protected] Phone:

[phone]; [phone]

Regional Coordinator Information

Name:

Steve Balog Email:

[email protected] Phone:

[phone]

State Board of Nursing http://www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/rn/

Nurse Practice Act http://sos.georgia.gov/acrobat/PLB/laws/38_RN_43-26.pdf

Nursing Association http://www.georgianurses.org/

Registered Nurse First Assistants (RNFAs)

Reimbursement Laws: Georgia Code, Title 13, Chapter 24, Article 1, 33-24-59.9 (b) It is the intent of the General Assembly to: (1) Encourage the continued use of registered nurse first assistants . . . . (2) Establish policies within managed health care agencies, workers' compensation carriers, and all private insurance companies to provide for adequate and justifiable reimbursement for the registered nurse first assistant for services rendered. AND (d) Notwithstanding any provisions in policies or contracts which might be construed to the contrary, whenever any health benefit policy which is issued, executed, or renewed in this state on or after July 1, 2001, provides that any of its benefits are payable to a surgical first assistant for services rendered, the insurer shall be required to directly reimburse any registered nurse first assistant who has rendered such services at the request of a physician and within the scope of a registered nurse first assistant's professional license. This Code section shall not apply to a registered nurse first assistant who is employed by the requesting physician or renders such services in the capacity as an employee of the hospital where services are rendered.

Definition: Official Code of Georgia - TITLE 33. INSURANCE. CHAPTER 24. INSURANCE GENERALLY. ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS. 33-24-59.9. Registered nurse first assistants © As used in this Code section, the term: (5) "Registered nurse first assistant" means a person who: (A)(i) Is licensed as a registered professional nurse in the State of Georgia; (ii) Is certified in perioperative nursing; and (iii) Has successfully completed a registered nurse first assistant education program that meets the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses, Inc.'s education standard for the registered nurse first assistant; or (B) Was holding the title of and practicing as a registered nurse first assistant as of January 1, 1993.

Scope of Practice: Statutes and Regulations do not specify scope of practice for RNFAs but a qualification is that they have completed an AORN approved educational program. They may defer to AORN for scope of practice. On GA RN Scope of Practice Decision Tree: Professional Standards of Practice (generally found through professional and specialty organizations (ANA, GNA, etc.)”

Good luck,

NIFA Education

[mannejohnson]

I work for a 3rd party marketing agency and we created a brief survey for National Institute of First Assisting (NIFA). We especially want the feedback of nursing students, RNFAs and OR Managers/educators but would love any healthcare professionals to complete.

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National Institute of First Assisting

http://www.rnfa.org