Designed for registered nurses who qualify for CNOR certification and advanced practice registered nurses to achieve certification for surgical first assistant roles, the Registered Nurse First Assistant certificate program at Rockhurst University’s Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences is a pathway to a career as an in-demand perioperative nursing professional.
Why an RNFA?
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RNFA-certified nursing professionals take on enhanced roles as surgical team leaders in hospitals and surgical centers. According to the AORN position statement (2022), RNFA’s are qualified as experts in perioperative care, including:
- Preoperative patient management in collaboration with other health care providers, such as
- performing focused preoperative nursing assessments and
- communicating and collaborating with other health care providers regarding the patient’s plan of care; and
- Intraoperative performance of surgical first assistant techniques, such as
- using instruments and medical devices,
- providing surgical site exposure,
- handling and/or cutting tissue,
- providing hemostasis,
- suturing, and
- wound management; and
- Postoperative patient management in collaboration with other health care providers in the immediate postoperative period and beyond, such as
- participating in postoperative rounds and o assisting with patient discharge planning, and
- identifying appropriate community resources as needed.
Learning outcomes
- Ability to collaborate with the surgeon and other health care team members to achieve optimal patient outcomes
- Possess the knowledge, judgment and skills specific to the expanded role of RNFA clinical practice, including patient safety, surgical procedures and suture techniques
- Ability to practice intraoperatively at the direction of the surgeon
Benefits of the RNFA program at Rockhurst University:
- A total of 12 credit hours consisting of two courses that can be completed in one semester
- Coursework can be completed online, asynchronously, with one required three-day on-campus immersion experience
- Courses taught by experienced, qualified nursing faculty
- Health care education in the Jesuit tradition, emphasizing leadership and compassion
- Students who complete the RNFA program will possess the skills and knowledge necessary to take on expanded responsibilities as part of a surgical team of care.
Course Map
Degree and class descriptions and requirements can be found by clicking on the course catalog listing below:
Additional Degree Info
- Nursing faculty with industry, clinical and teaching experience.
- Networking opportunities with the largest employers in the Kansas City area.
- Local volunteer opportunities outside of the classroom through our student organizations.
- Academic advising and peer tutoring available through the Student Resource Center.
STATE-OF-THE-ART LEARNING
In 2022, Rockhurst reopened the oldest building on campus, Sedgwick Hall, after a $23 million renovation to transform it into a state-of-the-art health sciences hub. The newly renovated academic hall includes:
- Seelos Simulation Center with interactive medical manikins, fully functioning medical equipment and observation rooms.
- Health assessment and skills practice labs.
- 100-person learning studio and event space.
- Study spaces, debrief rooms, student lounges and more!
This new facility gives students in Rockhurst’s nursing and health sciences programs access to hands-on learning that enhances their education and perfects their skills before they begin clinical work.
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