NIFA understands the many challenges faced by military families, and we realize how difficult it can be to pursue your educational and professional goals while supporting your spouse’s military career.

Covered Expenses

The $4,000 can be used for your RNFA tuition and training. This includes the cost of textbooks, supplies, or other necessary equipment. Note: MyCAA funds cannot be used to pay for computers, application fees, graduation fees, student activities, child care, parking, transportation, medical services, or testing fees.

RNFA 3.0 online program tuition with a 3 Day Workshop, textbooks and an Early Bird discount would easily be covered by MyCAA's $4000 allowance! (Ask about the tuition for a 6 Day Workshop for $5495).

Portable Career

One of the primary goals of the MyCAA program is to help military spouses earn the degree or credentials they need to find a “portable” career, meaning a job they can take with them when a military spouse is relocated from one duty station to another.

After completing RNFA 3.0 your formal RN First Assistant status will be recognized by all 50 state nursing boards!

Who  is  eligible  for  MyCAA  Financial  Assistance?        

 Spouses  of  service  members  on  active  duty  in  pay  grades  E-1  to  E-5,  W-1  to  W-2,  and  O-1  to  O-2  who  can  start  and  complete  their  coursework  while  their  military  sponsor  is  on  Title  10  military  orders,  including  spouses  married  to  members  of  the  National  Guard  and  Reserve  Components  in  these  same  pay  grades.  

Those who are not eligible:

Spouses  married  to  service  members  in  pay  grades:   E-6  and  above;  W-3  and above; and  O-3  and  above  

Spouses  who  are  a  member  of  the  armed  forces  themselves  currently  on  Title 10 orders

Spouses  who  are  married  but  legally  separated  (or  under  court  order  or  statute of any state  or  US  territory)  from  a  member  of  the  armed  forces  on  Title  10  orders

Spouses  whose  National  Guard/Reserve  Component  military  sponsor  is  in  a Warning Orders/Alert,  Post  Deployment/Demobilization  or  Transition  Status

Spouses  married  to  a  member  of  the  Coast  Guard  

Spouses  who  are  unable  to  start  and  complete  their  course(s)  while  their  military sponsor  is  on  Title  10  orders

How Does MyCAA Work?

Military spouses can request MyCAA Financial Assistance (FA) up to a maximum benefit of $4,000 (RNFA 3.0 online program, including the three day SutureStarXpress workshop is less than $4000). Prior to requesting MyCAA Financial Assistance, military spouses are required to develop an Education and Training (E&T) Plan and upload it to their MyCAA account for approval by a MyCAA Career and Education Consultant.

Read Frequently Asked Questions at: http://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/Project%20Documents/MilitaryHOMEFRONT/MyCAA/FactSheet.pdf

Program Eligibility Prerequisites:

AD, Diploma, BSN, MSN, and NPs and advanced practice nurses meeting the prerequisites below are welcome!

Eligible candidates must be licensed to practice as a registered nurse in the state in which the clinical internship will be conducted.

Eligible candidates must provide proof of RN license.

The RNFA candidate must have a minimum of two years of  perioperative nursing experience (circulating, scrub or assisting). This does not have to be recent and is waived for NP. Candidates must be CNOR or eligible. CNOR status must be obtained before graduation. (Waived for NP, however; NIFA requires the AORN Video Library series for OR fundamentals, crucial for your gaining competency in overall OR knowledge). In addition, advanced practice nurses must submit proof of recognized, national certification before graduating from RNFA 3.0. Note:  L & D nurses may be CNOR eligible if performing C Sections.)

Visit the CCI FAQ page to ascertain eligibility. Visit our NIFA page at http://www.rnfa.org/certification.html.

Candidate certification in CPR or basic life support (BCLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) is preferred.

Candidates must provide two recommendation letters from a surgeon, OR administrator, or an appropriate individual in a position of responsibility attesting to:

Proficiency in the roles of scrubbing, circulating or first assisting.  (Waived for NP. NIFA will administer assessments, studies, followed by test for APN knowledge and proficiency. Call for all details. IMPORTANT: A surgeon who writes a  letter of recommendation  DOES NOT have to be the surgeon who later preceptors you as an RNFA intern. Thus, you can enroll first, start your studies, and then find your surgeon(s) preceptor at a later date before your internship.

Ability to perform effectively in stressful and emergency situations.

Ability to perform effectively and harmoniously as a team member.

Ability to perform effectively as a leader.

Must provide proof of professional liability insurance specific to the RNFA role previous to and during RNFA program clinical internship.

Advanced practice nurses are required to take the NIFA NP additional RNFA educational component.

Labor and Delivery practitioners must also do C Sections. (Waived for CNM).


* Associate Degree and Diploma nurses do not need a bachelors to enroll in or complete the program.