How to Become an RNFA in Florida
RNFAs in the United States earn $125,000 per year or about $54 per hour. This specialized nursing role pays well and lets you help directly with complex surgical procedures.
The path to becoming an RNFA demands dedication. The typical time investment ranges from six to nine years. You must meet specific requirements set by the National Assistant at Surgery Certification (NASC) and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). You’ll need a valid nursing license, CNOR certification, and at least 2000 hours of experience as a perioperative nurse. Note that RNFAs certified after January 1, 2020, must have a BSN degree.
This career path could be ideal if you love surgery and want to provide complex, life-saving patient care. This piece guides you through the essential steps to become an RNFA in Florida – from education to certification and beyond. Let’s head over to this rewarding career path!
Understanding the RNFA Role in Florida
RNFAs are vital team members in surgical units all over Florida. They’re different from regular operating room nurses because of their special training. They work as direct extensions of surgeons during procedures. Let’s look at what this role involves before you think about becoming an RNFA.
What does an RNFA do in the operating room?
RNFAs work with surgeons and healthcare teams to help patients get the best outcomes. Their work covers every part of surgical care:
RNFAs get patients ready for procedures in the preoperative phase. They review medical histories, do physical assessments, and make sure all preoperative preparations are done.
During surgery, RNFAs work right beside the surgeon. Their advanced tasks include:
- Using instruments and medical devices
- Providing surgical site exposure
- Handling and cutting tissue
- Controlling bleeding (hemostasis)
- Suturing wounds
- Managing wound care
RNFAs are the glue that keeps the team together and add an extra layer of safety during operations. After surgery, they help close incisions, put on dressings, and take care of initial postoperative care.
How RNFAs differ from scrub nurses
Both roles matter in the operating room, but they’re quite different. Scrub nurses focus on keeping things sterile and passing instruments. RNFAs take on more complex tasks with greater independence.
The biggest difference is in what they do and how they’re trained. RNFAs work under the surgeon’s guidance and don’t act as scrub nurses at the same time. Their advanced training lets them do surgical tasks that surgical residents usually handle in teaching hospitals.
Scrub nurses organize instruments and keep the sterile field clean. RNFAs get involved in the actual surgery – they make incisions, control bleeding, and do suturing. This bigger role needs extra education beyond regular perioperative nursing.
Why Florida is a growing market for RNFAs
Florida offers great opportunities for RNFAs. The state’s nursing workforce will grow by 13% between 2022 and 2032, which is way more than the national average of 6%. This means about 14,110 nursing jobs will open up each year across Florida.
Same-day surgery centers are popping up all over Florida, creating more work for skilled RNFAs. Florida’s aging population needs more surgeries, which opens up more opportunities for specialized surgical staff.
The University of South Florida College of Nursing became the first in Florida’s state university system to offer an RNFA program. This shows how much the state values and supports this specialized role.
This information gives you a good picture of what it means to become an RNFA in Florida. The mix of special skills and growing demand makes it an excellent career choice.
Step 1: Meet the Basic RNFA Requirements
The road to becoming an RNFA starts with building a strong nursing foundation. You must meet several basic requirements before moving to specialized RNFA training and certification in Florida.
Hold an active RN license in Florida
You need an active, unrestricted Registered Nurse license in Florida. Your license must stay in good standing throughout your RNFA career. All 50 states recognize the RNFA role within nursing practice. Florida Statutes define a registered nurse first assistant as someone licensed as a registered nurse under Florida law. The person must be certified in perioperative nursing and complete a recognized program.
Earn a BSN or higher degree
Aspiring RNFAs need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or higher degree. RNFAs certified after January 1, 2020, must have BSN degrees. Some sources say the bachelor’s degree can be in any field. Most Florida RNFA programs need a BSN degree from an accredited institution.
RN-to-BSN program completion becomes necessary if you have an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Some schools might accept previous non-nursing bachelor’s degrees. You should check specific program requirements carefully. The University of South Florida College of Nursing requires students to maintain a 3.0 GPA on all undergraduate coursework.
Gain at least 2 years of perioperative experience
Operating room experience stands as a must-have for RNFA candidates. You need:
- A minimum of 2 years working in perioperative nursing[104]
- Approximately 2,400 hours of perioperative experience
- Experience that has pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative patient care
Your experience should cover both scrub and circulating roles. This hands-on training builds your surgical knowledge base needed for advanced RNFA duties. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses might skip the perioperative experience requirement. This includes nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists.
Pass the NCLEX-RN exam
The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) stands as a vital step. This complete exam tests your entry-level nursing knowledge across multiple areas. These areas include safety, care management, pharmacology, and other key nursing skills.
New nursing graduates can take the NCLEX-RN within one month after graduation. Both ADN and BSN graduates take this exam, while the NCLEX-PN serves practical nurse certificate program graduates. About 80% of first-time candidates passed the NCLEX-RN in 2024 so far.
Meeting these basic requirements prepares you for specialized RNFA education and certification. A solid foundation in these areas will help you succeed in the advanced RNFA training ahead.
Step 2: Get Certified as a Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Getting CNOR certification is a vital step toward becoming an RNFA after you establish your nursing foundation. This specialized credential proves your perioperative nursing expertise and most RNFA programs require it for admission.
What is CNOR certification?
CNOR stands for “Certified Nurse Operating Room” and shows a nurse’s specialized knowledge in perioperative care. The Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) manages this voluntary certification that highlights your dedication to surgical patient care. Over 41,000 perioperative nurses worldwide now have this prestigious credential.
The certification verifies your expertise in surgical patient care throughout the perioperative process. Many healthcare facilities prefer hiring CNOR-certified nurses and often pay them more. Most RNFA programs list this certification as a requirement, making it essential for aspiring RNFAs.
Eligibility criteria for CNOR
The CNOR examination has specific requirements you must meet:
- An unrestricted RN license in your practice country
- Active work in perioperative nursing (clinical practice, education, administration, or research)
- At least 2 years and 2,400 hours of perioperative nursing experience
- A minimum of 1,200 hours in an intraoperative setting
These standards ensure only experienced perioperative nurses take the certification, which maintains the credential’s value. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses might qualify for requirement waivers.
How to prepare for the CNOR exam
The computer-based CNOR examination includes 200 multiple-choice questions that cover six united competency areas of perioperative nursing. You have 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the test.
CCI suggests studying at least three months before your first exam attempt. Here are some effective ways to prepare:
- Create your study plan – CCI’s free CNOR Exam Study Outline breaks down subject areas with knowledge statements, tasks, activities, and recommended reading.
- Use official preparation resources – AORN offers review materials, online courses, practice questions, and access to the Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. You don’t need to buy review materials to pass the test.
- Pick your learning format – You can choose self-paced online courses or live review sessions with peers. Select what works best for your learning style.
- Master key content areas – The exam covers: pre/postoperative patient assessment (15%), individualized care planning (8%), intraoperative activities (34%), communication/documentation (11%), infection prevention (16%), emergency situations (10%), and professional accountability (6%).
A single CNOR exam attempt costs $467. The “Take 2” option costs $520 and lets you try again within 12 months if needed.
Your CNOR certification verifies your perioperative expertise and sets you up perfectly for the next phase: completing an approved RNFA program.
Step 3: Complete an AORN-Approved RNFA Program
Your next step after securing CNOR certification is to complete a formal RNFA educational program that meets the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) standards. This specialized training builds on your perioperative nursing foundation and gives you the advanced surgical skills you need.
Didactic and clinical training requirements
AORN-approved RNFA programs have two main components. The didactic portion covers theoretical knowledge through structured courses. This component has:
- Perioperative patient management (preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative)
- Surgical techniques including using instruments, providing exposure, handling tissue
- Hemostasis management and suturing skills
- Wound care principles
These programs just need a minimum of six semester credit hours of formal, post-RN education. The University of South Florida (USF) program delivers this content through asynchronous online modules, which provides 50.5 continuing education contact hours.
The clinical component comes next with hands-on practice equivalent to at least three semester credit hours. You’ll work with experienced surgeons who serve as preceptors, letting you apply your theoretical knowledge in ground surgical environments.
Minimum 120 clinical hours explained
RNFA training’s clinical portion requires at least 120 documented hours of direct work with board-certified surgeon preceptors. This is a big deal as it means that some programs like USF’s need 180 clinical hours, which you can usually complete at your home institution.
Your clinical training requires a detailed portfolio documenting each surgical case. This documentation:
- Verifies completion of required hours
- Shows skill development in a variety of procedures
- Provides evidence of competency for certification applications
The clinical experience turns theoretical knowledge into practical expertise, making sure you can handle expert-level procedures before working independently with patients.
Finding approved RNFA programs in Florida
Florida has several AORN-approved RNFA program options. USF College of Nursing became Florida’s state university system’s first institution to offer an RNFA program. The program follows three phases that combine online learning with hands-on experience.
Gulf Coast State College in Panama City offers another option with a 9-credit Advanced Technical Certificate program. The National Assistants at Surgery Certification (NASC) recognizes this program as meeting all AORN requirements.
Make sure your chosen program appears on NASC’s list of acceptable programs for CRNFA or RNAS-C eligibility. Program lengths range from one to three years, so think about which format matches your career timeline and learning style best.
Step 4: Optional RNFA Certifications to Advance Your Career
After completing an AORN-approved RNFA program, you can take an optional certification step to advance your career. The National Assistant at Surgery Certification (NASC) gives RNFAs two different credentials.
RNAS-C vs. CRNFA: Which one to choose?
The RNAS-C (Registered Nurse Assistant at Surgery – Certified) works well as an entry-level certification for new RNFAs. You’ll need these qualifications:
- Current RN licensure
- CNOR designation
- Completion of an approved RNFA program
- Minimum 120 practice hours
You don’t need a bachelor’s degree for RNAS-C certification.
The CRNFA (Certified Registered First Nurse Assistant) stands as an advanced credential that experienced practitioners can pursue. You must have:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Current RN licensure
- CNOR designation
- Minimum 2,000 RNFA practice hours (500 within past 2 years)
Most professionals start with RNAS-C and build their hours toward CRNFA eligibility.
Benefits of earning advanced RNFA certification
Certification brings real advantages even though it’s optional. It confirms your expertise and documents professional achievements beyond regular practice. Your colleagues and patients will see you as more credible with certification.
Certification shows your dedication to patient safety and exceptional care. Employers view certified RNFAs as stronger job candidates, which helps during salary negotiations.
How long does it take to become an RNFA?
The path to becoming an RNFA usually takes six to nine years. This includes:
- Original nursing education and licensure
- Two years of perioperative experience
- CNOR certification
- RNFA program completion
Each person’s timeline differs based on their education and program choice. APRN RNFA students might finish in just 5-8 months, while traditional RNFA programs take 1-3 years.
The time investment pays off through expanded surgical duties and better earning potential.
Start Your Journey to an RNFA Career Now
Taking your nursing career to new heights as an RNFA in Florida is both challenging and rewarding. This piece shows you how perioperative nurses can become valued surgical team members with expanded responsibilities and higher earning potential.
Getting your RNFA credentials takes real dedication. You’ll need a Florida RN license, BSN degree, essential perioperative experience, and CNOR certification. The next step is completing an AORN-approved program that combines classroom learning with hands-on clinical training to prepare you for this specialized role.
Florida’s expanding healthcare system and aging population create excellent opportunities for RNFAs. The state’s commitment shows in new RNFA programs at institutions like the University of South Florida.
The path takes six to nine years, but the rewards make it worth the effort. This is a big deal as it means that RNFAs earn around $125,000 annually. They also enjoy more autonomy and the satisfaction of participating in life-changing surgical procedures.
You can stand out even more by getting optional certification through RNAS-C or CRNFA credentials after your training. These credentials open up more career opportunities.
The journey to becoming an RNFA has its challenges, but each step builds on the last. This detailed guide gives you the knowledge you need to start your career path. The operating room needs your expertise as the “gel that holds the team together”—you’ll be that vital extra layer of safety for surgical patients across Florida.