What part of the country uses RNFA's

BRANDY LPN · Dec 7, 2003

May be stupid ?? but what the heck is a RNFA? I'm in AR too NW, and I obviosly have never heard of 'em. :confused:

MisterArnold · Dec 7, 2003

A RNFA is a Registered Nurse First Assistant. They assist the surgeon with surgery. I would think it's comparable to a 1st year resident in a teaching hospital. They help open up the tissue, retract, suction, and then usually close the incision. They also follow-up with the patient so the doctor doesn't have to make hospital visits. From what I've heard it's a limited profession. Not every area of the country uses them. I'm just trying to find out how I can get more information.

stevierae · Dec 9, 2003

Originally posted by MisterArnold
Does anyone know how to find out which cities use RNFA's? I live in eastern Arkansas and they don't use them. I was wondering if Little Rock uses them. I saw on a thread that they are popular in San Franciso, I wonder what other areas use them. If I go into OR after graduation I want to advance as far as I can.

Yes, I have done travel assignments in SF, and they are used there. Some have private practices set up, and work for whomever asks for their assistance, and some work privately for the same surgeon or group of surgeons. They are also used, to a lesser extent from what I have seen, in the Pacific Northwest (I live in Oregon.) I don't know that they are paid all that well here--neither are nurses, which is why I choose to work in northern CA.

Basically, one has to go through an RNFA program and complete the coursework, get a surgeon to allow him to do his clinical internship under his (the surgeon's) supervision to get whatever number of hours are required, and apply for RNFA privileges at whatever hospital/hospitals at which he wants to work or freelance.

BTW, there are also PAs who first assist--all the ones I have been privileged to work with have been great. They are TRUE PAs--not simply OR techs who consider themselves first assistants because they have been trained on the job to retract, suction, tie knots, and close subcutaneous tissue and skin.

(NOTE: Ex-military corpsmen who are OR techs are the single exception to this--their first assistant training and skills, learned in the military, are phenomenal.)

The scope of practice for an RNFA or a PA is often far more extensive, depending on their training and whatever their state, supervising surgeon, and hospital allows them to do.

ckalston · Dec 10, 2003

We have a RNFA in our facility with one more completing their education shortly. I think the problem they are having is with reimbursement. In other words who pays. The hospital feels that the nurse chose to get their RNFA on their own and should not have to pay extra for the services. The doctor's certainly don't want the funds coming out of their money. They are starting to work out something, but that has been the headache here in my small part of Texas.

clark_bailey · Jan 10, 2004

I have been an RNFA in Alabama for 2 years and OR nurse in Alabama for 8. I have yet to receive any money from Insurance companies for the limited time I worked with a private Ortho Surgeon. He hired a PA who can get reimbursement from third party insurance and Medicare for first assisting. The RN in my area who is an RNFA rarley gets to scrub if at all, and will not be considered for a "good" job until they can get reimbursment. Docs here want an assistant ,but they want the assistant to pay for themselves via insurance reimbursement. Wake up RN's! the PA's and Techs are taking our jobs little by little. There are people who will disagree with my statement but come to Alabama and learn the truth on how the OR RN is becoming extinct.

suzanne4, RN · Jan 17, 2004

Arizona, Michigan, and Colorado use RNFAs.

ustraveller · Jan 18, 2004

Hi to you all,

Sorry for this question, but we dion´t use so many abr. in Germany

What is Pa ?

Carsten from Germany

suzanne4, RN · Jan 18, 2004

A "PA" is a physician's assistant. They usually have at least a BS degree then attend a physician assistant's program. They work under the direction of a physician and can also write prescriptions, etc.

msjt1979 · Jan 18, 2004

Originally posted by clark_bailey
I have been an RNFA in Alabama for 2 years and OR nurse in Alabama for 8. I have yet to receive any money from Insurance companies for the limited time I worked with a private Ortho Surgeon. He hired a PA who can get reimbursement from third party insurance and Medicare for first assisting. The RN in my area who is an RNFA rarley gets to scrub if at all, and will not be considered for a "good" job until they can get reimbursment. Docs here want an assistant ,but they want the assistant to pay for themselves via insurance reimbursement. Wake up RN's! the PA's and Techs are taking our jobs little by little. There are people who will disagree with my statement but come to Alabama and learn the truth on how the OR RN is becoming extinct.

Hi can you tell me what programs you went to in alabama to get you liscenure and degree

Ferret · Jan 30, 2004

Hi All,

Has anyone heard of an OR RN doing a PA course?

Sounds like one loophole through the mess.

RNFAlex · Feb 13, 2004

Hi There,

I reside in Toronto, Ontario Canada. We use RNFAs here. In 1997, we had 1 f/t RNFA...now, we have 22!!! That's a feat!!!!

Alex:D