RNFA's---where did you get your training?

Specialties Operating Room

Published

Specializes in OR,L&D,HH.

I am an OR circulator with expectations of becoming an RNFA within the next year.... however, as expensive as these programs are, am afraid of paying for one that doesn't deliver what they promise. One school whom I spoke with in particular has a long waiting list of almost a year. There are no other nurses in the OR where I work who are scrubbing or are RNFA's so I am not able to talk to any co-workers. I would very much appreciate any feedback from anyone who has already taken an RNFA course and has any words of wisdom for me.

1. Did your employer reimburse you for any part of the tuition?

2. Did you feel you got what you paid for?

3. Where did you get your training?

Also, how have your co-workers treated you as you transitioned from circulating to taking on an expanded role? Some of the RN's and techs I work with don't seem to mind. They know I scrubbed for many years before I went to nursing school. I go out of my way to turn over rooms, mop and clean and yet a couple techs do whatever they can to undermine me and resent that I am in what they consider their territory. One in particular was irritated she had to hand instruments when another tech called in sick and I first assisted in her place, she tried to talk me into scrubbing out several times during the surgery. Saying, " I bet you would like to scrub out and get ready to circulate your other cases....(big, fake smile).....you can go ahead and leave." I told her I was fine where I was, that I was sure whoever was making assignments would take care of the the other cases that needed circulating. Even the surgeon told her to chill out and that he wanted me to stay.

The OR where I work, there are no RNFA's and the scrubs aren't trained to first assist, however they fill the position anyway. They are not able to perform any first assist duties except exposure, cutting suture, holding retractors. My manager is 100% in favor of having me trained as an RNFA. I try to go out of my way to be a team player and I have been in this position long enough to realize there will be sour grapes no matter where you go. But with the shortage of circulators where I work, opportunities for me to scrub in are minimal at best--maybe 4 times in 9 months.

Those of you that have gotten RNFA training---did things get easier after you actually enrolled and needed the required number of hours first assisting? I cannot get any opportunities to scrub unless someone calls in sick so most of the surgeons I work with aren't even aware I can do anything but circulate. I've found this everywhere I have worked. I've been an RN in the OR for over a decade and scrubbed for 8 yrs before that. I am wondering how I am going to find a surgeon to supervise me during my clinical practicum in order to get the required number of cases to complete the RNFA course. Maybe I am putting the cart before the horse but as I look at my situation, it feels like I am hitting a wall and I am not willing to let another year go by that I continue doing what I've always done and not feeling challenged anymore. There is a great deal of resistance from techs in the OR who feel threatened by an RN who can do their job, circulate and now wants to also first assist.

Please PM me if you don't feel comfortable identifying a school by name. I appreciate any advice and feedback on this----thanks in advance!

0 Votes

I am not an RNFA, but my operating room in California has about 15 RNFA's. The ones who have been doing it a long time first assist all the time (they never circulate.) The new ones alternate between first assisting and circulating. The new ones took an RNFA course in Las Vegas. The hospital paid for it.

I think that the RNFA's who never circulate have a piece-of-cake job. Circulating sucks. Scrubbing is easier. First assisting is easiest.

0 Votes
Specializes in NICU,Medi surg.,Surgery,RNFA for CRS.

I recieved my RNFA from Northern NewMexico @ Taos. My surgeon that I work for paid my way. I scrub 3 days a week so it was easy to get all my hours for the class. I had a awsome time in my class. People from all over the US was there. Test were difficult, lab was easy. Class took 1 week. For reimbursement My boss & I worked out an incentive plan. I will get what the insurances pay 2 x year. Like a bonus. He gets 60% I get 40%. Its Ok. I get paid by the hour anyway.I have worked for my boss for 14years. He is a CRS & I don't know anything but Butts & Guts....... HAHA

I am an OR circulator with expectations of becoming an RNFA within the next year.... however, as expensive as these programs are, am afraid of paying for one that doesn't deliver what they promise. One school whom I spoke with in particular has a long waiting list of almost a year. There are no other nurses in the OR where I work who are scrubbing or are RNFA's so I am not able to talk to any co-workers. I would very much appreciate any feedback from anyone who has already taken an RNFA course and has any words of wisdom for me.

1. Did your employer reimburse you for any part of the tuition?

2. Did you feel you got what you paid for?

3. Where did you get your training?

Also, how have your co-workers treated you as you transitioned from circulating to taking on an expanded role? Some of the RN's and techs I work with don't seem to mind. They know I scrubbed for many years before I went to nursing school. I go out of my way to turn over rooms, mop and clean and yet a couple techs do whatever they can to undermine me and resent that I am in what they consider their territory. One in particular was irritated she had to hand instruments when another tech called in sick and I first assisted in her place, she tried to talk me into scrubbing out several times during the surgery. Saying, " I bet you would like to scrub out and get ready to circulate your other cases....(big, fake smile).....you can go ahead and leave." I told her I was fine where I was, that I was sure whoever was making assignments would take care of the the other cases that needed circulating. Even the surgeon told her to chill out and that he wanted me to stay.

The OR where I work, there are no RNFA's and the scrubs aren't trained to first assist, however they fill the position anyway. They are not able to perform any first assist duties except exposure, cutting suture, holding retractors. My manager is 100% in favor of having me trained as an RNFA. I try to go out of my way to be a team player and I have been in this position long enough to realize there will be sour grapes no matter where you go. But with the shortage of circulators where I work, opportunities for me to scrub in are minimal at best--maybe 4 times in 9 months.

Those of you that have gotten RNFA training---did things get easier after you actually enrolled and needed the required number of hours first assisting? I cannot get any opportunities to scrub unless someone calls in sick so most of the surgeons I work with aren't even aware I can do anything but circulate. I've found this everywhere I have worked. I've been an RN in the OR for over a decade and scrubbed for 8 yrs before that. I am wondering how I am going to find a surgeon to supervise me during my clinical practicum in order to get the required number of cases to complete the RNFA course. Maybe I am putting the cart before the horse but as I look at my situation, it feels like I am hitting a wall and I am not willing to let another year go by that I continue doing what I've always done and not feeling challenged anymore. There is a great deal of resistance from techs in the OR who feel threatened by an RN who can do their job, circulate and now wants to also first assist.

Please PM me if you don't feel comfortable identifying a school by name. I appreciate any advice and feedback on this----thanks in advance!

0 Votes
Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

I would like the information on RNFA also. I have worked in an OR for a few years and now am in the CVOR which I really like. The Surgeon has a PA who First Assists and takes endo leg vein, but isn't there all the time and we "Assist" as needed. I am an ADN and I know that to be "certified" you need to have your BSN. I won't be getting my BSN and am concerned about it maybe I should just keep scrubing and forget about RNFA. Thanks

Rod

0 Votes
Specializes in NICU,Medi surg.,Surgery,RNFA for CRS.

I Recieved mine 4years ago. I am a RN FA ADN. Recieved mine from Taas New Mexico. You can go on the web for AORN and follow the instructions. Thats what I did.

I would like the information on RNFA also. I have worked in an OR for a few years and now am in the CVOR which I really like. The Surgeon has a PA who First Assists and takes endo leg vein, but isn't there all the time and we "Assist" as needed. I am an ADN and I know that to be "certified" you need to have your BSN. I won't be getting my BSN and am concerned about it maybe I should just keep scrubing and forget about RNFA. Thanks

Rod

0 Votes
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