NFA-Nursing-RN First Assist

NFA 620. Surgical Techniques. 3 Hours.

This course will focus on the expanded functions unique to the RNFA role during operative and invasive procedures. The course includes the recommended content of the Core Curriculum for the RN First Assist and is designed to develop the beginning knowledge and skills needed for safe RNFA practice. Surgical practice and techniques such as sterile technique, positioning and draping, using instruments and medical devices, providing exposure, handling and cutting tissue, providing hemostasis, and suturing will be emphasized in a (hands on) laboratory experience. The course will be taught in a blended distance accessible format and on campus 4-5 day intensive session in an animal surgical laboratory. This format will enable each student to apply surgical principles and techniques to a swine surgical model. Students without operating room experience will be required to take the 4 credit hours (5 day intensive) and students with operating room experience will take 3 credit hours (4 day intensive). Admission to the ACNP/RNFA graduate program or RNFA post masters option required.

NFA 621. Advanced Perioperative Nursing I. 3 Hours.

This course will focus on the expanded functions unique to the RNFA role during operative and invasive procedures. The course includes the recommended content of the Core Curriculum for the RN First Assist and is designed to develop the beginning knowledge and skills needed for safe RNFA practice. The course will emphasize surgical and medical devices, providing exposure, handling, and cutting tissue, providing hemostasis, and suturing will be emphasized in a "hands-on" swine laboratory experience. The course will be taught in a blended distance accessible format and on-campus 1-day intensive session in the Nursing Competency Labs. The purpose of the course is to enable each student to apply surgical principles and techniques.
Prerequisites: NFA 620 [Min Grade: B]

NFA 622. Advanced Perioperative Nursing I: Practicum. 1-3 Hour.

This course prepares the advanced perioperative student to function in the expanded role of first assistant to the surgeon. In this practicum, the student is expected to continue to grow toward becoming a competent advanced perioperative nurse, specializing in problems requiring surgical interventions and management and the full scope of RNFA practice. Further, the student continues to apply, knowledge and current research findings to the management of actual and potential health problems, which include common surgical diseases and human responses to disease. The following elements are integrated into the course: critical thinking, research utilization, scientific integrity and ethics, human diversity, and awareness of social and professional issues. The advanced perioperative practice role emphasis in this course continues the trajectory of the RNFA as a beginning expert and includes role components such as interdisciplinary collaborator, educator, and consultant. Prerequisite: NFA 620 and NFA 621.
Prerequisites: (NFA 620 [Min Grade: B] and NFA 621 [Min Grade: B]) or (NFA 620 [Min Grade: B] and NFA 621 [Min Grade: B])