RN First Assistant in Surgery, Certificate of Competency

Program Overview

The RN First Assistant in Surgery Certificate of Competency program at Delaware County Community College equips nurses with the knowledge and skills to become RN First Assistants (RNFAs) in surgery. The program includes coursework on surgical anatomy, physiology, and nursing behaviors, as well as a clinical internship. Graduates are qualified to work as RNFAs, a specialized nursing role with responsibilities in surgical procedures. The program is recognized by professional organizations, providing graduates with a competitive edge in the job market.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• The RN First Assistant in Surgery Certificate of Competency (NURR) program at Delaware County Community College provides nurses with the knowledge and techniques needed to assume the responsibilities of an RN First Assistant (RNFA) in surgery.

Objectives:

• Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
• Describe the historical role of the operating room nurse as it relates to RNFA practice.
• Describe essential principles underlying RNFA practice.
• Describe the principle nursing behaviors encompassed in RNFA practice.
• Apply knowledge of surgical anatomy and physiology to surgical first assisting.
• Analyze approaches used in operative procedures.
• Identify surgical hazards and their management.

Outline:

The program is structured into two semesters, with a total of six credit hours. The curriculum includes:

• NUS 207 - RN First Assistant: (3 Credits) This course covers topics such as the historical role of the OR nurse, essential principles of RNFA practice, and nursing behaviors in RNFA practice.

Careers:

Graduates of the program are qualified to work as RN First Assistants in Surgery, a specialized nursing role with the responsibilities of scrubbing, draping, retracting, exposing, clamping, ligating, and suturing. The program is recognized and acknowledged by various professional organizations, including the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses and the Competency and Credentialing Institute for Perioperative Nursing. This provides graduates with a competitive edge in the job market.