NP's working in the OR

[lindsayy333]

Hi everyone. I'm a senior nursing student in a BSN program interested in continuing my education to become a NP. I had an externship over the summer in the OR (and loved it!!) and noticed some NP's first assisting a few of the docs in surgery. I was wondering what type of NP program to persue if interested in doing that, and if it is necessary to also take classes for RNFA as well as NP.

Thanks!!!!

Lindsay:heartbeat

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

I would think that Adult or Acute Care NP would be your best path. Neither particularly prepare you for surgical duties, but both would be useful for rounding on patients pre and postoperatively.

Also, consider FNP as this gives you an unlimited scope with regard to age of patient. Several of the local orthopedic doctors have FNPs as their surgical first assists because many ortho patients are minors (sports injuries).

However, you don't need to be an NP to be a first assist-- The NP education is useful for rounding on patients and seeing patients at the clinic/office in addition to RNFA duties (which would still be required training and certification, I presume).

[DC2RN]

I agree with hypocaffeinemia. If you really want a future in the OR, the best training is to get into a hospital peri-operative training program. That is better training for the OR than NP school.