OR Nursing

lifeafter,

I am in the same boat - please come online when you dig up some info! I did think this was unique, http://www.usuhs.mil/gsn/cns/index.html , the USUHS offers what they claim is the only perioperative CNS program in the country. Good to know for future education opportunities.

Thanks for the link! I am especially interested in becoming a -Certified Registered Nurse, First Assistant (CRNFA), which is at least recognized as an approved certification for specialty pay, but not sure how much the Army utilizes that role.

I think I would also like to eventually go to CRNA school, but all I have heard from people on here is the recommendation of being ICU Nurse... If I read the CRNA requirements correctly, I would need need at least one year of Critical care experience, but would Perioperative nursing qualify for that criteria?

I'll keep digging

LA40

Hi LA40,

Preoperative nursing doesn't count for critical care experience. I am a civilian OR nurse, and newly commissioned Air force nurse. I have been around the OR for about 10 yrs, first as a tech(military/civilian) and then a nurse. The RNFA is something that I was looking into. On the civilian side, it gives nurses the ability to work independently and bill patients insurances like the doctors. RNFA's come from a strong scrubbing back grounds, and have several years of experience. On the military side I would not be to sure how they would be used. Usually there are more then enough techs to help assist the doctors if they need it. Not to say it is impossible, I am sure you could figure out a way to do it if you wanted it.

Hello... happy holidays and almost happy new year to all!!!! I'm not in the military, but I am a OR nurse. Our hospital doesn't utilize RNFA's. We employ surgical PA's. This works out well for the surgeons, as it takes some of the burden off of them (i.e. writing orders, discharging etc) They have it pretty good in the sense that they aren't required to do call/nights/weekends or holidays. In MD. you have to have I.C.U. experience to become a CRNA. CRNA's make bank, but this is just something that doesn't interest me. I have talked to a lot of CRNA's most love their job and are exellent at it. Good luck with your career goals...