Wants to Be Surgical NP

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I have been accepted to an FNP program and a AGACNP program with RNFA concentration. My question is, which one will get me closer to being a Surgical NP? I currently work for a plastic surgeon and I love this career with a passion. My question is which title will allow me to work both in the clinic and as a surgical assistant? Please advise.

Dear Wants to Be Surgical NP,

Congrats on being accepted to a family Nurse Practitioner program (FNP) and an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program with a Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) concentration.

An FNP program will prepare you to provide primary care to patients of all ages, and an AGACNP program will prepare you to care for adults in the acute care setting.

The AGACNP with an RNFA concentration will be closer to the role you want. In the RNFA portion of the program you would (hopefully) be completing clinical hours needed for getting your RNFA.

The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) is a peri-operative registered nurse who functions in an expanded role or an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) functioning as a first assistant. RNFAs receive specialized training, but RNFAs do not have to be nurse practitioners.

According to the Association for Operating Room Nurses (AORN), the eligibility for entry into an RNFA program includes the Certified Nurse Operating Room Certification (CNOR) and a bachelors degree (as of 2020). Eligibility for the CNOR includes 2 years of per-operative experience.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Author, "Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job"...and your next!