NPs As First Assists

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

I'm curious to know if there are any NPs that are also RNFAs and if there are any out there who actually get to assist in surgery. In my hospital most are PAs but there are a few NPs too. It's something I'd like to look into but I'm not sure it's worth pursuing if MDs always choose PAs over NPs to assist in the OR. I am halfway through an Acute NP program.

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Specializes in Surgery.

Yes. Read my response in 'Where do you work as an NP' post.

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Specializes in Urology.

NP's can and Do first assist with surgery. The reason why you see more PA's doing surgery is it is built into their program whereas NP has traditionally been a medical background with no surgery. I know several NP's that assist in surgery and of course I know PA's who do not do anything surgical. Its really up to the person to pursue what they want.

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Specializes in ICU.

Try doing a rotation in surgery and talk to those that you come across. My favorite rotation (so far) has been with Emergency General Surgery. I did some hours with the NP on the unit, and also got to assist in the OR! My last rotation will probably be with a cardiothoracic surgery NP who first assists and rounds on the patients - so that I get to experience the full scope before graduation! (I can't wait!)

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

Thank you all for the information. I received the packet today from the RNFA credentialing organization and I'm intrigued. I'd really like to pursue this but I will have to wait until I graduate as an NP in1.5 years before I can do this because I've spent almost my entire career in the ICU and not the OR so I am not eligible as an RN to even take the CNOR. I'm a CCRN. The requirements are different for an APRN so I will make sure to get a surgery rotation in clinicals so I can get the experience. This is the one thing that really excites me so far.

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Specializes in Surgery.

Good plan! It truly is fun and everyday I learn something new..

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Specializes in ICU.
Thank you all for the information. I received the packet today from the RNFA credentialing organization and I'm intrigued. I'd really like to pursue this but I will have to wait until I graduate as an NP in1.5 years before I can do this because I've spent almost my entire career in the ICU and not the OR so I am not eligible as an RN to even take the CNOR. I'm a CCRN. The requirements are different for an APRN so I will make sure to get a surgery rotation in clinicals so I can get the experience. This is the one thing that really excites me so far.

I'm in the same boat! Hard to have to wait- I'm dying to do the RNFA now! In the meantime- get every opportunity you can to learn "on the job" (precepting) while you can! (I just watched my first robotic surgery! So cool!!)

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