"I recently finished my Suture and Tying workshop (Jan. 21-26, 2008) for my RNFA course through NIFA and had a really great time!! I didn't want to write some cheesy testimonial but then I thought to myself, "How can I relay to others how great this program is?" After some debate, I figured this (email) was the best way to do that.

I have wanted to do an RNFA program for about 4 years and finally got the nerve to just do it. I researched programs all over the country and it seemed that I kept going back to the NIFA program. Yes, there were other programs that were cheaper, but I tend to go on the theory that "You get what you pay for." I didn't want to get cheated out of the best learning experience that I could have. Some programs were all lecture and bookwork. I decided to go with NIFA because the staff took time to talk with me about the program even when I called 3 minutes before the office closed. They stayed 30 minutes late just to answer my questions. That is dedication!! And good customer service. I was impressed. Not only that, but to have 6 full days of hands on training, I couldn't pass that up.

Once I got to the workshop, I was nervous, but those feelings were put to rest right away. The instructor, Kasey (Kathleen Johnston CRNFA), was phenominal!!! The simulated surgeries were very impressive, the techniques I learned are invaluable. I will use them always. I even learned a few things that I could take back to teach my surgeons!!! How great does that make me look? The entire program and staff were very friendly and understanding of everyones different levels of experience/skills. Being a scrub nurse for 8 years, I thought I knew almost everything there was to know about surgery... yeah...I was wrong.

I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is pursuing this avenue in their career. It is well worth every penny I spent!!! NIFA will get my referral every time. Thank you NIFA for all you do. Keep up the great work!!! "

" Christine,
I heard through the grapevine that you are interested in becoming an RNFA.
Well fasten your seatbelt because you are in for the career of your life!

Let me start by telling you a bit of my past adventures of being a nurse. I started in trauma step down and went to labor and delivery from there. I loved labor but noticed that when my patients had to have a c-section my heart jumped a bit. This is where I learned that the OR was my destiny. I have not left since nor do I anticipate leaving. A good friend of mine let me in on the NIFA program and it was the best career move that I have made. Not only did I get into the OR as I dreamed but NIFA prepared me so that I felt completely confident in what I was doing and because of that same education was able to impress my physicians. The program was very easy to follow and there was always help if I needed it. The week that you spend with NIFA is one that you will remember for the rest of your life. I met people that I still keep in touch with to this day. They were a great support system throughout the program and in my practice today. The best part of this program is that I am doing what I absolutely love and have received a huge amount of respect that I never dreamed possible from the physicians and fellow OR staff.

I wish you the best in your future endeavors and know that you will truly be happy with the decision of going with NIFA."

"After becoming a part of a very progressive cardiac team in 1999, I knew that I had to become a RNFA because most of my team members were. I was referred by other nurses to take the course offered by one of the major hospitals in the area. As I collected the required documents and signatures needed to enroll, I saw your ad in the AORN journal, I decided to take your course (NIFA) instead even though it was a little more expensive. I, to this day, do not regret the choice. My colleagues were so impressed. While visiting after work they noticed my study materials from NIFA on my table in the living room. ‘This is a very good course,’ they told me. ‘Our course was not as in-depth as this one!’ Even my clinical sponsor was impressed with what was required to complete the course. I do not think any RNFA course could be more complete or rewarding than NIFA’s. I will always be proud to have been a NIFA student."

"I love the convenience of this course. It is great for nurses with tight schedules. I have retained more from your style of distance learning, study guides and anatomy lessons than any university course I have ever attended and can’t wait for the six-day classroom and lab."

"I've finished the NIFA program, and just need my CNOR to finish everything up. I have to say, my hospital sent eight of us to RNFA programs, and the ones who have gone to NIFA seem to have had the most positive experience. We got the ‘hands on experience’ where the other nurses didn't. They just sat in a classroom and listened to lectures all day for a week. We at the NIFA program actually got to get our hands into tying and assisting in NIFA's labs everyday on different procedures. Your instructor and visiting surgeon made it very informative, and we had fun doing it. Thank you, NIFA, for your wonderful program."

"NIFA rocks!! I am working with other RNFA graduates from other programs and they don't have half the expertise that we were required to possess before passing. Your hands-on workshop is worth it's weight in gold!!! I tell everyone I know how great NIFA is. Thanks for your continued support."

"From the time I went through my operating room rotation in nursing school, I knew that the OR was where I wanted to work. The door was opened to me and I found out about an interesting career path for RNs – becoming an RNFA I knew that I wanted to be an assistant one day. So, I made myself a “five year plan” that included getting my CNOR and eventually getting the training I would need to become a good assistant. I chose NIFA because two RNFAs that I used to work with had been through the program and I saw how poised and confident that they were in their skills. Surgeons were always requesting them by name and I could see something different about them that I didn’t see in other assistants who had been through other programs. Boy, am I glad that I did!

I received all of my suturing material in the mail and set right in to practicing. I was so excited to have enrolled in the NIFA program. I did, however become very busy, and for whatever reason procrastinated a bit about finishing my suturing practice lab. Eventually, time snuck right up on me and the date of my workshop was approaching… three weeks left! I sutured like crazy over the next few days, trying to finish up that practice lab. I thought to myself… "I’m going to look so stupid in this class. They’re going to send me home on the first day for being unprepared."

Well, the day arrived for me to fly to Las Vegas. I was excited and scared all at once.

Day one arrived and I headed off to class. I had barely slept the night before, running through all of the suturing steps in my head. I pulled into the parking lot and bumped in to a couple of ladies who were also arriving for the class. (I knew they were there for the class because of their tell-tale practice lab box). I chit-chatted with them a little bit, and turns out they were just as intimidated as I was. We were all in the same boat! This might be alright after all. Then panic! I walked into the classroom and just about fainted. Oh MY GOSH…. The lady from the video is teaching the class… OH MY GOSH! What was I going to do? I knew that I would be ejected immediately. Man, was I wrong. Kasey turned out to be a blast! She was such an awesome teacher and had so much experience to offer up to us…I fell somewhere in between having circulated in the OR for quite a while but only having learned to scrub in the last year. By the end of the week, we had formed some great friendships and learned skills that are crucial to becoming a great first assist. Day one was a bit of a refresher for everyone, but by the end of the week, we were all whipping out stitches like pros and had learned other skills to boot.

I went home so excited to put what I had learned into practice. I have had surgeons tell me that I am anticipating needs better and that they have noticed such an improvement in my skills. The one general surgeon that I mainly work with has already started to let me close patients … and said that he thought I did a better job of it than he did. I can only thank NIFA’s skills workshop for making that happen for me. THANKS SO MUCH!!!!"

Carrie Marin, RNFA

"This is an excellent course. I took [another RNFA course] and they did not give you the extensive hands-on training that NIFA does."

"The instructors were excellent! They made sure everybody did their work. I learned a lot in six days. Keep up the good work. A lot more people need to learn about this program."

"Neat. Fun. Confidence-inspiring. No talk and chalk–just the hands-on good stuff!"

"NIFA gave me the skills training that I needed to pursue working as an RNFA. I found my instructor and the support at NIFA headquarters excellent! I would recommend NIFA to anyone interested in pursuing an RNFA career."

"Very well thought-out and organized lectures and demonstrations. Very effective teacher–patient, calm, diplomatic and honest. This would be a wonderful opportunity for new surgical residents, too!"

"Wow have I been having fun! I have been traveling all over the country learning about Robotic Heart Surgery and Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair (NYU, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and University of Michigan). This is like a dream come true - as your program has opened the door for me to advance in my career. In between my travels, I have had numerous opportunities to First Assist and am loving it. Today I did an Endoscopic Left Radial Artery Harvest by myself, while the surgeon worked on the chest, which was used for a four vessel off pump coronary artery bypassing. Through your learning modules, my eyes have been opened to the whole picture. It is like I am thinking on a whole different level now."

"I believe that NIFA is an excellent program that gives you the skills and the confidence to succeed in the challenging and competitive world of first assisting. I now work with a neurosurgeon and love it!"

"This was a truly wonderful educational experience! I gained a wealth of knowledge in order to assist surgeons with operations."

"This program did wonders for my skills in the OR and my confidence as a First Assistant."

"Our instructor was beyond all anticipation! Her knowledge, surgical skills and techniques are extremely evident. Presentations were clear, concise and pertinent. When calling NIFA headquarters, communication is always informative and encouraging. My commendation to others who may pursue this program."

"I really enjoyed this six-day workshop! It provided the skills, knowledge and confidence I need."

"I felt this was one of the best classes I've attended in a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed this class."

"Awesome. Very well thought out. A very practical course. It exceeded my expectations!"

"I can't thank you enough for what you did for my career. The program was wonderful. As a scrub/circulator, I had a lot of job satisfaction, but becoming a First Assistant is really the icing on the cake. It really ‘tops off’ my job satisfaction. It's given me a greater sense of fulfillment. NIFA's program left me with the confidence that I could do this. It taught me as an adult, with adult needs and expectations, not as someone fresh out of school. They gave me the instruction with patience and understanding so I could leave with the confidence that this First Assisting could be an added OR role and also be fun. I would recommend this program to any RN who wants to add a little more to their career."

"The class was very good. I feel as though I have gained the confidence and skills to jump in and really be capable to First Assist! It was great to gain experience by tackling cases that I don't normally get to do. The simulators were well done. Whoever devised the simulator for the ORIF did a great job. The femur was very anatomically accurate."

"Excellent! Improved my knowledge of the surgeon's perspective. Allows me to better anticipate their needs, and now I can improve in the surgical process."

"This experience has humbled me! I now understand the pressure the surgeon is under. I also understand the surgeon's frustration when other team members are not paying attention."

"Excellent workshop! Great fun. The instructor was very helpful and supportive and showed tremendous interest in helping the students be their best. Her instruction and patience encourages self-confidence, and her caring teaching methods are an inspiration."