Prospects of the CNOR/RNFA

[Nurse AllBetta]

As I get closer to graduation (December -- yea!) I want to know more about the prospects of the OR nurse. I loved our clinical experiences each time and felt like I learned alot while watching some of the wonderful things the body and surgeons can do and fell in love with the scrub RN role. Can someone tell me the job duty differences (certifications aside) between a

1.) A scrub RN

2.) A CNOR

3.) RNFA?

I have been told that because of the practice of using surgical PA's that surgeons/hospitals usually do not utilize RNFAs. So is it even worth down the line to get either (CNOR/RNFA) certification? Are the job prospects for scrub RN's still good with the number of PA's/ST's in the OR?

As for the circulators from what I understand it seems as if the circulator RN position is harder to come by esp. in hospitals that use the ST's instead.

Thanks in advance for the insight.

[mooneyes65]

I have been in the OR for 10 months now...as a new grad (actually had 5 months of floor work..not for me). We are a small hospital and we do it all...circulate, scrub, assist....I personally dont like to assist...so much to learn for EACH doctor. I am just feeling good about circulating....my comfort zone. I just started scrubbing/assisting in August. We also have to do c-sections. The RNFA do get a bit more pay...at our hospital.

The hospital 30 min away...requires the RNFA to be RN BSN. We dont.

Many of the larger hospitals (teaching) use scrub techs and some RN's to scrub...while the residents assist the surgeons. So depends on what type of hospital you go to.

Good luck

[Nurse AllBetta]

Thanks for the feedback moon. So do you feel that the job prospects are pretty good even for circulators?

I'm smiling at the comment about doing floor work first as that is what I was going to do first before OR but I'm debating now...

[Diahni]

Nurse2b - do you have any links to find out about CNOR jobs?

Thanks,

Diahni