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We have first assists in the OR where I work. You have to work in the OR for approximately 2 years to take the CNOR exam to become an RNFA. You don't necessarily have to take the CNOR exam before starting FA school, but you do have to pass it before you can finish your FA program. I'm looking into an FA program at UCLA. You go for one weekend of classes at the end of April, then go back to work for a month. You return to UCLA for one more weekend, then you head back to work for your FA training. You have to have 120 hours of FA experience to graduate. You have to do a little write up on each of the cases you FA and I believe one big case study. Hope that helps!

Hey y'all! I'm trying to decide whether I should get my BSN (I have an associates in nursing and have been working in the OR for about two years now) or go for my RNFA. We need RNFAs in our OR and of course there is a slight raise. The hospital will pay for the RNFA school with a two year contract. Our hospital will also pay for part of a BSN with another contract (not sure of the details there) and I believe a small raise. I LOVE working in the OR and I don't plan on leaving any time soon. So. Anyone have any advise for me?

I am a peri-op 101 grad. It was a good orientation to the OR since you learn nothing of operating room nursing in nursing school. Landing a job in the OR isn't easy. We had 40 applicants, 20 interviewed, and 4 were hired. Needless to say, it's pretty competative. Training an OR nurse is also very expensive. I'm under a 3 year contract that started after I was was off orientation (which lasted 6 months) and if I leave early I have to pay back part of the $28,000 they spent on training me. BUT, I LOVE being in the OR. LOVE IT!!!

I was fortunate enough to be hired into an OR that was offering a Peri-Op 101 course. I was working on a tele floor to get experience that would allow me to find the position I loved. All I can say is DON'T GIVE UP. Peri-op 101 courses are VERY hard to come by and I consider myself SO fortunate. Keep gaining experience. Work on your interview skills. Maybe look for a job on a surg/ortho floor. Our PACU nurses and surgeons have a lot of contact with the floor nurses. Sometimes it is all about who you know. Ask if you can shadow in the OR. Network. Take OR CEUs. If it's what you really want, don't give up.