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Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA)

medical professionals in surgery

Welcome to the Registered Nurse First Assistant program presented by the University of South Florida College of Nursing.

We recognize the crucial role of registered nurse first assistants in our hospitals. Together, with our clinical partners, we are implementing evidence-based clinical practice to improve health and wellness. 

This program is structured in three phases. The first phase consists of online instruction, followed by clinical skills check-offs and the completion of clinical hours at your home institution in the subsequent phases. Additionally, you will receive a one-year subscription to AORN. Upon successful completion of the program, you will earn 50.5 contact hours.

Important Announcements

Coming Soon: Applications for the next cohort will open in early Spring 2026.
NASC Recognition

Didactic Curriculum

The didactic curriculum is a series of asynchronous online educational modules that students must complete before moving on to the clinical skills check-off phase. It covers topics such as the essentials of being a Registered Nurse First Assistant, communication in the perioperative team, various surgical techniques, preoperative evaluations, and specialized areas like orthopedics, neurology, cardiovascular care, and otolaryngology. You will earn 50.5 contact hours for the didactic curriculum.

Clinical Skills Check-off

The clinical skills check-off will be conducted near or at the end of the didactic semester. During this training, the student will be evaluated on the knowledge and skills necessary for safe practice including sterile technique, positioning, and draping, using instruments and medical devices, providing exposure, handling, and cutting tissue, providing hemostasis, and suturing. Attendance for this component is not optional and participants are required to attend this event. Failure to attend will result in dismissal from the program or a delay in graduation as this event occurs once each year. Exceptions may be granted on an individual basis.

Clinical Training

During clinical training, participants will demonstrate advanced competence in providing a wide range of surgical-related procedures as first assistants. The clinical training competence of the program will require the maintenance of a portfolio via www.e-value.net. Participants will be required to maintain and eventually submit a surgical case portfolio as part of the clinical training section. The portfolio is a time-stamped procedure log. The procedure log will include a description of the procedures performed by the participant. All procedures logged must be completed with your associated surgeon sponsor at approved clinical training sites with your across the Tampa Bay region.

RNFA Program Details

  • USF Health is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

    A maximum of 50.5 contact hours may be earned by learners who successfully complete this nursing continuing professional development activity. 

  • Prerequisites:

    Applicants must have the following:

    • Current unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license: All applicants must be Registered Nurses with a minimum of 2 years of perioperative experience (preferably scrub and circulating experience) when the program starts. 
    • A minimum GPA of 3.0 on all coursework at the undergraduate level is required.
    • All students must obtain a BSN before entering the program from an accredited institution.
    • Certification of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) (preferred)
    • Verification of Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with operating room (OR) experience (current or to be obtained before course completion)
    • Two (2) letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s experience as an RN and the applicant’s knowledge, judgment, and skills specific to perioperative patient care.

     

    Fee: $6,500.00

    Location: Hybrid course

    Commercial Support: None

  • Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses.

  • As a result of participating in this activity, the learner will be able to:

    • Describe the phases of operative patient management.
    • Demonstrate methods utilized as a surgical assistant.
    • Discuss appropriate documentation that is required according to established protocols.
    • Demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge to various situations.

  • More information regarding certification and RNFA standards can be obtained in Program Handbook.

  • Certification is not required to function under the Florida Nurse Practice Act as an RNFA. The program is completed within 1 year which involves online classes and a yearly subscription to AORN.

  • Completion of a program that meets the National Assisting at Surgery Certification (NASC) guidelines. Our RNFA Program is officially recognized by NASC and listed among its acceptable RNFA programs for certification eligibility.

  • For national information, visit AORN.org.

  • For testing information, visit National Assistants at Surgery Certification (NASC).

  • Alicia Gill Rossiter, DNP, APRN, FNP, PPCNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
    Alicia Gill Rossiter, DNP, APRN, FNP, PPCNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
    Associate Professor, Chief Officer of Military and Veteran Affairs Director, Veteran to BSN (V-CARE) Pathway