Registered Nurse - First Assistant Graduate Certificate
Credential: Ontario College Graduate CertificateProgram Number: 921
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The first RNFA program offered by Mohawk College's Continuing Education Health Sciences and Distance Education departments commenced in September 2008. This program is comprised of part-time, online independent study, a full-time didactic component and a clinical internship.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Include the following with your application:
- Graduate of an accredited college/university nursing program (provide photocopy)
- Registered and in good standing with the College of Nurses in the province which the clinical internship will be undertaken (provide photocopy)
- Five years of Perioperative Nursing experience (stated in Manager's letter)
- Letter of Recommendation from Manager
- Letter of Intent from surgeon for the Surgeon Mentored Internship
- Canadian Perioperative Nursing Certificate CPN(C) (provide photocopy)
- Current Basic Cardiac Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (provide photocopy)
- ORNAC membership (provide photocopy)
- Resume
You will also be required to have:
- Computer knowledge and internet access for online learning
- RNAO liability insurance for Clinical Placement
- Medical Clearance from Mohawk College for Clinical Placement (fee: $115)
Registration in this program requires you to submit the Student Application form and above-mentioned documents, and participate in an interview with the Program Manager. Once your application has been received, a meeting with the Program Manager will be arranged.
Click here to print a program application form (PDF format).
PROGRAM OF STUDIES
| Course Number | Course Name | Course Hours | Tentative Schedule* | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Winter | Spring | |||
Mandatory Courses: |
|||||
| NRSG10039 | RNFA Theory 1 | ||||
| NRSG10040 | RNFA Theory 2 | ||||
| NRSG10041 | RNFA Laboratory Practice | ||||
| CLIN10046 | RNFA Independent Internship | ||||
| CLIN10042 | RNFA Surgeon Mentored Internship | ||||
| * Subject to change - Browse current catalogue for course offerings | |||||
Online Courses
The first two theory courses are delivered online through Distance Education. Computer skills are mandatory for this course.Didactic Component/Laboratory Practice
This will be done in one of the hospital and IAHS campus in Hamilton.
Clinical Internship
The Surgeon Mentored Internship will require a surgeon sponsor for the hospital of your choice. The clinical time will include intraoperative time with the surgeon. The Independent Internship will include time where you will attend clinics, pathology, radiology, infection control and patient hospital visits.
Book costs extra.
Course Descriptions
RNFA Theory 1 - NRSG10039
Develop the theoretical foundation of RNFA practice. Explore the first assistant’s role and interdependence with physicians and nurses for the benefit of the patient. Facilitated study through online learning activities and computer-based modules.
RNFA Theory 2 - NRSG10040
Develop intraoperative knowledge and techniques necessary for the RN First Assistant’s role. The nursing diagnosis is used as the defining guide in planning and implementing patient care. Facilitated study through online learning activities and computer-based modules.
RNFA Laboratory Practice - NRSG10041
This face-to-face full-time tutorial/lab is offered over eight to ten days. It will include 60 hours of interactive learning activities with skills labs. RNFAs, physicians and perioperative nursing faculty will be involved. Expanded functions are stressed and elaborated on as the nurse is prepared to assume the RNFA intraoperative responsibilities for assisting at surgery.
RNFA Independent Internship - CLIN10046
This course involves 50 hours of clinical time in areas of clinics, pathology, radiology, infection control and patient hospital and office visits.
RNFA Surgeon Mentored Internship - CLIN10042
This course involves 175 surgical assisting hours with a surgeon mentored practice for perioperative nurses in the first assistant role. Students will be required to keep a log of surgeries that they have assisted with and clinical opportunities they have experienced. Progress will be monitored.
