Rnfa's

ok what if i rephrase my question to what do most rnfa's make in the states of TN, NC, VA, or FL? Can any rnfa's giev me any feedback. im just trying to get a rough idea. if taking on the extra responsiblity of an rnfa is worth the time and money.

Rumor has it that the East coast pays $3 more an hour. Education is always worth the money. But if you really want to assist, continue on with NP. Texas requires an NP that is assisting to complete a FA course. Other states are following.

Rumor has it that the East coast pays $3 more an hour. Education is always worth the money. But if you really want to assist, continue on with NP. Texas requires an NP that is assisting to complete a FA course. Other states are following.

Is it common for NPs in TX to find a job where you can first assist? That's what I'd like to do, get my ACNP and RNFA and work with a surgery group covering patients in the ICU, floor and first assisting. I haven't found a lot of opportunities though. Most first assisting by mid-levels seems to be done by PAs.

hello, bryanboling5,

would you like me to move your post to it's own thread in the texas forum? you might receive a better response.

also, here is a link to medscape regarding apns and rnfa. you might need to sign up in order to read. it is free.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/499689

siri,

i appreciate it, but i'm not necessarily interested just in tx. i just mentioned it because the previous poster did. i'm looking to move at some point and that is one of the states i'm interested in, but i'm really just looking more for info in general.

thanks for the link to the article! it's very informative.

i've seen things like this before, but i seem to run into this issue in the "real world" where most acnp jobs i've seen involve non-operative roles whereas there are pas in the same practice that are used in the or. i was jsut wodnering if that's everyone else's experience as well.

i also gratuated this may and found out that if you go to rnfa school you will have to be sponcered by a doctor and do like 350 cases with him then work for eathior the hospital or a dr. The hospital pays 20. an hour and you get the face sheet pay. which if the patient is on medicaid it pays less then medicare which is 500. a face sheet. and if you choose to get your bsn first then go to rnfa school you can work for yourself and bill for you services.

Ok this was brought up in another thread i was posting in but i never got an answer. i also did a search and couldnt find anything. anyways i graduated form nursing school last may and have since been working in the OR. i love it and wouldnt shange it for the floor for anything. anyways i have become really interested in becoming a first assist. I havent met any RNFA's so my resources are somewhat limited at work. anyways i was basically wondering what the average salary or hourly wages are for rnfas. whether private or paid by the hospital. i would appreciate any info thanks

For anyone interested, UAB has a master's program for RNFAs. You can find it at their website http://www.uab.edu/son/grad_acc_rnfa.htm

I just graduated with my BSN, am starting in the OR in March, and been thinking along this route too.

Ok this was brought up in another thread i was posting in but i never got an answer. i also did a search and couldnt find anything. anyways i graduated form nursing school last may and have since been working in the OR. i love it and wouldnt shange it for the floor for anything. anyways i have become really interested in becoming a first assist. I havent met any RNFA's so my resources are somewhat limited at work. anyways i was basically wondering what the average salary or hourly wages are for rnfas. whether private or paid by the hospital. i would appreciate any info thanks

Rnfa's in our area make $28-40 per hour or $175 per case

I can't comment on states other than CA. I am in private practice here, with surgeon's offices calling to book me. I use a billing service for insurance cases and have a cash price structure for cash cases (cosmetics). I am not busy enough to make this my full time job, though it does add very nicely to my income. I work OR through a registry, so I have the flexibility to work whenever the chance arises. The hardest elements of private practice are:

1. Getting known. I have been in the local OR community of almost 20 years, so the docs pretty much all know me. I made scheduling packets that I sent to all the surgeons that I know. It includes a letter of intro, a tablet of tear-off, faxable scheduling sheets, business cards and a rolodex card with all my info on it.

2. Getting privileges : Applying to practice at area hospitals is tedious, though the process has improved greatly in the last couple of years. Get a surgeon that knows you to "sponsor" you , so when you apply (typically through the medical staff office) you have some credibility there.

3. Billing for insurance cases. I request that the surgeons office gets "pre-certification" for an RNFA for the cases they book me for. This is critical. I also use a professional medical billing service. They take about 10% of my receivables, but it is worth the lack of hassle.

Hope this is helpful.

http://members.cox.net/jefflovernfa/