The National Institute of First Assisting, headquartered in Denver, CO., was founded in 1995 to ‘raise the bar’ in first assistant training for non-MD personnel. By 1997, NIFA began to focus on training perioperative nurses in the critical role of the RN First Assistant. The company started a formal RNFA program that met all the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Standards for RNFA Educational Programs and, what is now, the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) requirements. In 1998, the CCI added the requirement that RNFA program credits be college credits. NIFA was among the first in the industry to meet this new policy.

Today, NIFA’s RNFA Program is presented in collaboration with the College of Southern Nevada (CSN)through the School of Nursing, and accredited through the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. The course awards three college credits recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, CSN is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.  

As the only Educational Corporate Partner of the AORN, NIFA recognized the need to continue raising student competency levels by purchasing its own suturing machines. In 2005, NIFA purchased its own building in Centennial, Colorado. Our mission is to ensure each RNFA student has more than ample training, and that every NIFA graduate who touches a patient in the role of first assistant will feel confident and be competent in these specialized, vital skills.

Hear it first-hand. Read student testimonials by clicking here.

Meet the RNFA Faculty: