suturing information required

Specialties Emergency

Published

Hi there

In my unit nurses are now being expected to suture. Does anyone have any references, information or protocols about nurses and the role of suturing? Thanks Merry Christmas to all. : :rolleyes: :Santa5:

Please, let's not pretend that suturing is rocket science either.

There are countless CST's and surgical assistants (some licensed, some not depending on the state) that function as first assistants in surgery. We use dozens of independently contracted CSA's (Certified Surgical Assistants) in our facilities, and they do a little bit of everything, including suturing and stapling. They are credentialed through the hospital, and the surgeon isn't supposed to leave the room until the incision is closed, although they often do. They usually function under a physician's delegatory authority (if that right is granted by the state) just as an unlicensed medical assistant does who gives injections in the physician's office.

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RNFAs go thru a specific training program, have to have a CNOR, 2000 hours in a preceptorship program, etc. Medical students are working under the licnese of the physician. A nurse works under her own license, even when it comes to harvesting veins, etc.

Thanks for info, I didnt know that. I've always wanted to work in surgery as a FA, but I make such good money doing acute dialysis that I'm not sure I'd want to go through the change. Is it a state or national requirement to get the CNOR and 2000 hours? I just ask because I havent heard of those type requirements in TN.

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Thanks for info, I didnt know that. I've always wanted to work in surgery as a FA, but I make such good money doing acute dialysis that I'm not sure I'd want to go through the change. Is it a state or national requirement to get the CNOR and 2000 hours? I just ask because I havent heard of those type requirements in TN.

Those are certification requirements, not licensure.

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Specializes in emergency nursing-ENPC, CATN, CEN.

Please check with your state nursing practice act - I don't believe that nurses in the USA can suture unless they are advanced practice trained-like NPs.

Anne

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In Ontario, suturing is a responsibility of the physican, or nurse practitioner, or RNFA. I have never met a physicians assistant. What schooling do they have? Is that only in the US? Curious.

Sarah

It's a Masters program. Mine was a little less than three years long (including summers).

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Please check with your state nursing practice act - I don't believe that nurses in the USA can suture unless they are advanced practice trained-like NPs.

Anne

Perhaps on a state by state basis. As a blanket statement, that is incorrect. I know plenty of RN's who suture.

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Specializes in emergency nursing-ENPC, CATN, CEN.
Perhaps on a state by state basis. As a blanket statement, that is incorrect. I know plenty of RN's who suture.

In PA they cannot

Anne

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Specializes in emergency nursing-ENPC, CATN, CEN.

https://allnurses.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-70429

This thread has info regarding RNs and suturing

Anne

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A physician's assistant program is 2 years post B.S. degree.
Presently, there is no consistency w/ degree of education. Some programs are run by junior colleges, some by 4 yr colleges and many programs have moved to master's level programs. (Hopefully they all will.)

SJ

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Several posters have stated that phyician assistant programs are only masters degree programs--untrue. Kettering College of Medical Arts among others offer PA degrees at the baccalaureate(SP) level.

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Specializes in emergency nursing-ENPC, CATN, CEN.
Several posters have stated that phyician assistant programs are only masters degree programs--untrue. Kettering College of Medical Arts among others offer PA degrees at the baccalaureate(SP) level.

True- my husband is a PA and graduated w/ a BS from Hahnemann University years ago ( now part of University)

Anne

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Specializes in Trauma, MICU.
Several posters have stated that phyician assistant programs are only masters degree programs--untrue. Kettering College of Medical Arts among others offer PA degrees at the baccalaureate(SP) level.

FYI ~ Kettering's PA program will become a masters degree program beginning Fall 2005. Many pre-pa students there are very unhappy about the change. :o

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