Specialty Assist, Inc.
THE class for nurses who want to excel in the field of First Assisting
Specialty Assist - RN First assist - RNFA Course DescriptionsRNFASpecialty Assist - RN First assist - RNFA PrerequisitesRegistered NurseSpecialty Assist - RN First assist - RNFA Supplies and FeescnorSpecialty Assist - RN First assist - RNFA Informationphysician first assistantSpecialty Assist - RN First assist - RNFA About Specialty Assistregistered nurse assistantSpecialty Assist - RN First assist - RNFA Contact Ussurgeon assistantSpecialty Assist - RN First assist - RNFA Linkssurgeon assistantSpecialty Assist - RN First assist - RNFA Home
 

 

RNFA Course Descriptions

RN First Assistant Program

Length of Course: Five days of nine hours of instruction with a one hour lunch break each day.

Total Theory Hours: 45

Total Clinical Hours: 150

Class Dates: 2nd Monday of every month. The class must have a minimum of 4 students.

Course Description: This course is designed to provide theoretical instruction as well as practical skills attainment for the role and responsibility of a registered nurse first assistant.

Course Affiliation Details:

Specialty Assist is in affiliation with Prairie State College for the RN First Assistant Program.

There are 3 credit hours through Prairie State College for the didactic and 3 college credits for the clinical portion.

For any additional information, please visit the Prairie State College website .

Course Objectives:

  1. To explore the role and scope of practice of an RNFA.
  2. To discuss practice options and legal issues related to functioning as an RNFA.
  3. To review relevant anatomy/physiology as it relates to the first assistant role.
  4. To explore all aspects of the preoperative, intraoperative roles and responsibilities of the RNFA.
  5. To refresh information on instruments, medical devices, positioning, draping, and surgical asepsis.
  6. To develop psychomotor skills in assisting with wound exposure, handling and cutting tissue, providing hemostasis, and suturing.
  7. To identify the roles and responsibilities of the RNFA in regard to postoperative client management.

Clinical Practicum Guidelines:

Each student is required to log 150 hours of assisting which cannot include passing instruments.

Documentation Requirements are as follows:

  1. Assisting hour log
  2. Completion of skills assessment by sponsoring physician
  3. Three perioperative reports which must include:
    1. Clients initials
    2. Pre-operative diagnoses
    3. Post-operative diagnoses
    4. Surgery performed
    5. Surgical findings (normal, abnormal, extraordinary events)
    6. Anesthesia type
    7. Position of Client
    8. Skin prep
    9. Draping
    10. Incisional approach
    11. Detail account of procedure
    12. Status of hemostasis
    13. Detail account of wound closure
    14. Presence of drains or packs
    15. Status of sponge, instrument, and needle counts
    16. Estimated blood loss, was blood replaced, amount and source (autologous or blood bank)
    17. Specimens
    18. Condition of client at end of procedure
    19. Complications

When all of the above is completed, submit the information to the instructor via mail.

Ms. Angela Daniels
5098 Maple Hill Dr.
McHenry, IL 60050
E-mail: specialtyassist@hotmail.com

Note: Make a copy of everything you send via mail for your permanent records.

Faculty:

Angela Daniels RN, CNOR, RNFA

Dale Vladek ST, RN, CNOR, CRNFA

Michael Jacoby MD General Surgery

Gwen Dean Director of Nursing
Dean of Health Professions
Prairie State College