A college without walls. Learning first assistant skills.
This course for expanded perioperative role assumption as an RNFA intends to prepare nurses who eventually can become individually responsible for comprehensive care of the patient undergoing surgical intervention, and help them establish collegial relationships with other nursing colleagues, surgeons, and health care providers. The RNFA is concerned about the intraoperative safety of the patient and is involved in patient assessment and patient and family education. The RNFA collaborates with the physician to provide patient care in a complementary, collegial partnership. Within a framework of communication, trust, and mutual respect, the perioperative nurse prepared to first assist emerges as a renewed patient advocate, confident of her or his contribution to patient care, and committed to responsibility and accountability for the quality of that care.