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Discussion

RN First Assistant question

I am interested in becoming an "RN First Assistant". In the EP lab that I work in, the RN's "close" (suture) the pockets after insertion of Pacemakers and ICDs. We have heard that we are allowed to do so, since we were taught by the doctor and he is in the room when we do this. I have tried to find any information in the PA Nurse Practice Act via the State Board of Nursing. One option I am finding is becoming RN First Assistants.

I don't know much about this title.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Featured Replies

  • Author

Thank you so much for the links. I need to looik into where I can get "educated" now. Community college?

  • Experts

You are going to need to complete an OR program, and get the CNOR to become an RNFA-C. It is a requirement currently to get the certification.

A BSN is also required for the RNFA Certification now, has been for the past few years.

With the OR experience behind you, there are first assistant programs all over the country, some are only one week of heavy theory, etc. then you must put in 2000 hours in the role, with at least 600 hours in doing history and physicals, pre and post op care.

Please let me know if you have any more questions............

  • Experts

pa regs state have interpretation suture removal but not suturing per se.

these regs suggest may be covered "with knowledge/training/compentecy etc." make sure dept p+p approves suturing under md supervision re below guidelines:

21.18. standards of nursing conduct.

(a) a registered nurse shall: (1) undertake a specific practice only if the registered nurse has the necessary knowledge, preparation, experience and competency to properly execute the practice

21.401.interpretations: scope of practice.

(g) if a nurse executes a practice which the board has interpreted to be within the scope of nursing practice, the nurse shall only undertake the practice if the nurse has the necessary preparation, experience and knowledge to properly execute the practice. the execution of the procedures shall include the identification and discrimination of expected and unexpected human responses and the effective management of nursing actions.

[/url]http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter21/s21.18.html

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delaware county community college has an excellent rnfa program--dr jane rothrock, dnsc, rn, cnor, faan on ground floor developing this role.

her medscape article:

apn as rn surgical first assistant

nus 207 - rn first assistant

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