In March of 2020, we asked our graduates how RNFA bettered their life (even during Covid 19). Below are some of the responses within 24 hours:
It is the only job I would perform for NO PAY; it's that good!
My ability to work collaboratively with the surgeons to assist in the surgical cases for healing clients that are sick is the most gratifying part of my job. Obtaining my certification as RNFA made me part of the physician team and demonstrated commitment to my profession. Working in an administrative role as well as RNFA role has allowed me the greatest autonomy in the healthcare field. My dedication to my contracted hospitals has me in a demand for great work achieved each case that I assist on daily. Enjoying a strong salary, able to assist on cases that pay well, and using evidence-based practice has truly helped me to be an integral part of the surgical team...
The quality of life gained by the increase in salary may be the least important thing I have gained from becoming an RNFA. This job is strange because at the same time, you have this profound feeling of service, helping both a surgeon do their best work as well as helping a patient on what is likely their most frightening day... But you also have this feeling of accomplishment as you are able to act semi-independently, with the full trust of your surgeon, using your experience and knowledge to make the patient's outcome the best it can. Finally, it is a wonderful feeling holding yourself to a higher standard and becoming a person who your OR staff are able to count on as a resource and possibly look up to, providing a role they can aspire to.
I would say being an RNFA has allowed me to help others in a way I was born to (Mom was an RN; Dad was a carpenter), and has allowed me to be involved in patient care in a way that few people get the opportunity to participate.
This is improving my life in several ways, by doing what I love to do on daily basis and by improving my income, it’s worth all the hard work and dedication. Thanks NIFA.
Allows my schedule to be more flexible so that I can spend time with my son who is 1 1/2 years old.
Yes! I am more engaged in my nursing career than ever before. I am looked to by surgeons to help their cases go smoother and more successful. Also, the pay increase has been helpful.
Being an RNFA has brought my clinical practice full circle. With this skill set comes ultimate flexibility in work roles. I function as a circulator, scrub nurse and RNFA for a wide variety of cases, and I have a more comprehensive understanding of clinical pathology and operative sequence, enabling me to provide better care to my patients. Also, the increased compensation is excellent.
Being an RNFA has given me more autonomy as an OR nurse. I've been an OR nurse for over 25 years and this added responsibility has made it more exciting and engaging. With the use of scrub techs, the nurse doesn't get to scrub much anymore so this keeps my scrubbing skills sharp. I "was raised" in an all RN OR and I was beginning to miss scrubbing so that's why I became an RNFA.
I have gained a greater understanding of what my perioperative patients experience. I have a broader role in the care of my patients. I have greater opportunity for professional achievement and monetary gain.
Learned a lot of new skills, made me a more versatile provider.
I am involved with my patient's care from pre-op to discharge from ortho care now that i also scrub all the ortho cases.
Given me more opportunities in my General Surgery NP job, following patients from admission to discharge. I can assist the surgeons allowing them more hands to help with operations, especially in the evenings and nights.
Being an RNFA has opened many doors for me and allowed me to better myself personally and professionally. I specialize in orthopedics and am very happy where I am in life.
I have enjoyed the flexibility of being able to function in the clinic or in the OR as a critical member of the team.
It has broadened my scope of practice and I have more tools in my arsenal/resume.
It makes my job more interesting with a special skill set.
I have worked with the same orthopedic surgeon for 17 years. We work well together and it’s really nice to be able to assist without working out of my scope of practice. Being able to suture the wounds so he can leave the room really increases our efficiency.
Becoming an RNFA has opened several doors for me. It gave me the opportunity to grow in the OR, and it sparked a fire for me to return to school to become a nurse practitioner. As graduation nears, I have already had multiple surgeons extend offers of employment.
I’m able to assist in the OR, this is in addition to INPT, OUTPT and ICU settings. Expanding my areas of patient care for my specialty population. It has been very professionally gratifying.
Since becoming a RNFA, I am better prepared to assist not only the surgeon but everyone participating in care of surgical patients. It requires commitment to stay current on new procedures. Some of our staff that are CSTFA and don't have the same outlook on the entire perioperative process.
I have always like being an open-heart nurse. Becoming an RNFA in open heart has opened so many doors for me and my family. Both professionally and financially I know that I made the right decision.
I have the ability to assist in any setting.
I set my own hours to work and what surgeries I like to assist.
Mo money mo respect mo skills mo professionalism
Allowed me to gain confidence and skill set in the operating room.
Allow much greater career possibilities, greater satisfaction in daily work.
I have learned a lot of respect for the medical community in our town. Being able to bill for my work has allowed me to pay College tuition for two children without taking out loans or going into debt.
It has definitely bettered my life. It has given more experience and skills and broadens my opportunity as a nurse.
It has bettered my life by allowing me help so many.
In case in scope of practice. Increase in salary. More enjoyment at work.
It has allowed me to establish a career in the field of orthopedic surgery which is both financially and professionally rewarding.
My practice at my hospital has allowed me to expand what I have as an experienced RNFA in Functional Neurosurgery to other hospitals as far as teaching residents from their first year to their last. I also have been teaching surgical scrub nurses who are working towards a FA-SA with their skill sets and mastering the art of being a FA. I have also found that I am in higher demand in my service line then when I was just a circulating nurse even though I had previous assisting experience as a house-trained assistant at an older hospital that I came from.
I am able to make a little more money assisting vs scrubbing or circulating. And it always a plus on my resume.
Better pay and love my job now!
Creates more job opportunities and clinical skills.
I make more money now and I am more marketable because I can scrub, circulate, or assist.
Not only am I more satisfied in my career but my flexibility and time I get to see my family is greatly increased.
Better pay and better hours.
The RNFA has opened many doors for my future that I can't wait to see what lies ahead for me.
More money and the knowledge of new skills.
I feel more involved in the surgery.
Making more money is definitely an upside to being a CRNFA. Besides the financial aspect, I feel like I have more respect than I ever have had in my nursing career. Surgeons, nurses, and scrub techs come to me to help solve their problems.
Advanced my NP career and got me higher pay.
Increased job satisfaction and Increased revenue.
I have broader experience in surgery. I can assist physicians in multiple areas of surgery, before I could only circulate cases or scrub but now I can help in all areas.
Being an RNFA is a different world. Love the advanced skill set, respect, and extra money, of course.
I am more marketable.
Becoming an RNFA has bettered my life in that of both my career and pay. I have scrubbed and circulated in the OR and now being RNFA, I can help in many ways for my patients.
More freedom.
I have had educational opportunities to learn new procedures with selected surgeons and then have been able to come back and in-service/teach these skills to other team members. Being an RNFA has put me in a position of knowledge and expertise that both the staff and the surgeons rely on. I wish I had done this earlier in my OR career!!
More knowledge. More responsibility. Make your own schedule. Increase in pay.
I am currently gaining many new skills every day and these skills are making me a more confident person in my career and in my life!
More diverse opportunities in Surgery.
I am extremely happy with my training and my new role. My hospital decided to create a new position for an RNFA and I was the successful candidate. I am hoping that this role will continue to expand.
Better credential and pay.
I have been able to increase my income and step into a management role as well as assisting.
I feel like I am such a valued employee in the operating room. I have a wonderful rapport.
It allowed me to get my current job as an APRN, RNFA in pediatric orthopedic surgery with all of our surgeons.
It has provided me with more professional flexibility. I truly enjoy my time in the OR.
Better pay and working hours.
Increased knowledge...furthering my career...Increased income.
I absolutely love my job!! I actually don’t mind getting up each day and going to work. The satisfaction that my job brings on a daily basis is gratifying!!
I really enjoy the job I have as a surgical assistant! I have been able to work part time and be available for my kids as well.
I love my role as an RNFA! It has given me the flexibility to work the hours I prefer to work and give me the advanced role that makes me feel like I am being used more significantly in surgery.
First Assisting has opened up a whole new world for me. I love the challenge. It has given me a completely different perspective and a lot to think about and consider in terms of surgical procedures. It has also boosted my income, which is nice.
I have achieved a higher level of patient interaction and participation in their care. I challenge myself on a higher level, both intellectually and professionally. I am able to set my hours and stay involved in my desired specialties.
As an experienced outpatient NP in a surgical specialty, completing the RNFA program has allowed me to give more thorough care from evaluating in clinic to pre-operative education, assisting in the OR and post-operative care. Patients appreciate the step by step the process of a surgical day for them and over all have a better understanding of their medical care.
Help me to improve my job quality and give me more job opportunities.
I am in a position where I love my job and I got a sizable raise as well, which definitely helps.
I am doing the dream job. I have the best job ever!!
It has opened doors of opportunity in my facility and other facilities that I work in. I am more confident in my skills. I have become a more confident leader and teacher to younger staff and students. Physicians are pleased with the skilled assistance during cases.
I graduated in 6/2011 with my RNFA. By august of 2012 I left my current job in an ortho clinic doing both office and surgery to start my own business providing surgical assisting services... It has definitely provided me with a freedom I have not had before.
It gave me a good reputation and advancement of career.
Becoming an RNFA has given me more opportunities than I could have ever imaged as just an RN. I am able to help people in a way that is unbelievably rewarding.
My pay increased greatly and I’m learning new things every day. I have advanced my career to a great level in which I feel respected and challenged.
It made me able to help the surgeons take care of the patients in the safest possible way. I like to see the way we needed to help them out so when the patients have questions; I am able to educate them.
It has allowed me to make more money!
Becoming an RNFA has taken my nursing practice to a profoundly higher level that I could never have imagined I’ve assisted in almost every specialty and become a conduit harvester, great career move thus far!
It has increased my knowledge and skills in the so that I am more valuable to the hospital where I work. I have received an increased wage because of it.
Becoming and RNFA has definitely made my work life better. Coworkers show a new level of respect for the skills we can offer to the surgeon, and I’ve discovered myself being an even better team member. I have both nurses and techs making positive statements that I’m working with them.
…Taking the course allowed me to fulfill the commitment that I made to my new employers to become certified. In this way it has helped me to build a new life in a new state.
