Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) Program

The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) Program offered by Saint Anthony College of Nursing, in collaboration with the National Institute of First Assisting, Inc. (NIFA), is designed to equip both new advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and experienced perioperative nurses with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue the expanded role of a registered nurse first assistant (RNFA). The program meets the standards for RNFA education programs established by the Association of PeriOperative Nurses (AORN). In addition, graduates qualify to sit for the national RNAS-C exam and CRNFA exam administered by the National Assistant at Surgery Certification. 

Eligible APRN candidates (usually nurse practitioners) are required to provide proof of their degree from an accredited college and obtain certification in their specialty before graduation. Non-APRNs (baccalaureate or higher in most any field) must hold a current RN license, possess a minimum of two years and 2,400 hours of perioperative experience, and be eligible for the CNOR certification (waived for APRNs).

The RNFA Program is comprised of two courses. Course 1 involves approximately 48+ hours of online coursework, which must be completed within one year of enrolling in the program; followed by course 2, the clinical internship, which includes 130 hours of intra-operative first assisting experience and five pre-op and five post-operative logs. Course 2 must be completed within one year of finishing course 1 (extensions are offered per discretion of the program director). Students are responsible for arranging a surgeon-supervised clinical internship at their own facility. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates receive a Certificate of Completion from both NIFA and the College, recognized by all 50 state boards of nursing. CEs are awarded by NIFA, a licensed provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Provider Number CEP11471.

Throughout the program, students have the option to select their hands-on training based on their unique needs:

1. Online Only Program: Includes online, distance learning didactic program along with 14 hours of home, wound closure class/labs.
2. Online Program with SutureStarXpress Weekend (three-day): Students opting for the online, distance learning didactic program can add a three-day workshop where they perform up to 200 suture closures during simulated, hands-on cases. APRNs with no OR experience must add an additional half day for OR fundamentals to their three-day workshop.
3. Online Program with SutureStar (five-day) Summit: Similarly, students can choose the online program and add a five-day workshop where they perform up to 400 suture closures during simulated, hands-on, ‘wheels-in, wheels-out’ cases.

Enrollment costs for the program vary between $4,800 to $7,400, depending on the chosen programs and add-ons (Example: evening vein harvest or C-Section classes are available for an extra fee) based on student needs and educational purchase options. Travel, lodging, textbooks and malpractice insurance are the student’s responsibility. Open enrollment is available each month. Interested individuals can contact (800) 922-7747 or email info@aprn.com or info@rnfa.org for further information.