What is an RNFA?
Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) is a specialized role in the surgical environment where an RNFA assists the surgeon during a surgery. RNFA training and certification involve a formal education program that includes both didactic and clinical components that prepare RNs to function as assistants to the surgeon during various phases of a surgical procedure.
An RNFA must have acquired knowledge and skills beyond that of general nursing, such as surgical anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and surgical instrumentation. They also use their critical thinking, decision making and problem-solving skills, communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to function calmly in stressful situations. The ultimate goal of an RNFA is to help ensure the best possible outcome of the surgical procedure for the patient.
The role of an RNFA varies as per state nursing practice acts or the state’s Board of Nursing Bodies, but typically include surgical exposure, wound closure, tissue dissection, retraction, and suctioning, and hemostasis. RNFA assists the surgeon with simple and complex surgeries, including emergency operations. Additionally, an RNFA may independently perform some specific surgical procedures, such as laparoscopic surgeries and endoscopic harvesting of veins for coronary artery bypass.
Many RNs aspire to become RNFA due to the opportunity to take their nursing career to higher levels and inspire their passion for surgery, and commitment to patient care. Becoming an RNFA is achievable by first becoming a registered nurse and then acquiring additional skills and practice through a formal accredited RNFA program. RNFA programs, which are usually for six to eight months, are available in various settings, such as colleges or universities, hospitals, and online learning programs.
The demand for qualified RNFA continues to rise in the surgical environment, contributing to salary increases over time. With the advancement of technologies and surgical techniques, there is a growing need for qualified RNFA to assist surgeons in operating rooms, often resulting in higher salaries for the RNFA. However, salaries can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, facility type, and other relevant statutes in a particular state.
Table of Contents
- RNFA Salary Overview
- Factors impacting RNFA salaries
- RNFA Salary Survey Results
- RNFA Salary Negotiation
- Conclusion
RNFA Salary Overview
RNFA salaries vary based on various factors such as education, experience, location, facility type, and specialty area. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for registered nurses in 2020 was $75,330. However, the median annual RNFA salary, according to PayScale, is around $103,000, which is significantly higher than the median annual wage for registered nurses.
The median RNFA salary varies based on the employer’s facility type, with RNFA working in outpatient care centers earning a median salary of $109,000 per year, those in hospitals earning $102,000 per year, and those in ambulatory surgical facilities earning $98,000 per year.
RNFA experience level is another significant factor that influences salaries. Entry-level RNFAs earn an average total of $89,000 per year, whereas highly experienced RNFAs with more than 20 years of experience can earn up to $148,000 per annum. The RNFA’s years of experience also influence the bonuses, profit sharing, and commission components of the RNFA’s total compensation.
The RNFA’s specialty area is another factor that plays a vital role in influencing salaries. For instance, RNFAs with experience in the neurosurgery specialty area earn a median salary of $119,000 per year. Similarly, RNFAs with experience in cardiovascular surgery or orthopedic surgeries earn higher salaries than those who specialize in other surgery types.
Furthermore, geographical location can also significantly impact RNFA salaries. According to PayScale, RNFAs working in cities like San Francisco, New York, and Houston earn higher median salaries than RNFAs working in smaller towns or rural areas.
Factors impacting RNFA salaries
Several factors impact RNFA salaries. Below are some key factors that have a significant influence on RNFA salaries.
1. Education and Training
One of the key factors affecting RNFA salaries is the level of education and training completed by the RNFA. RNFAs who have completed a formal education program in RNFA training and certification achieve higher median annual salaries compared to RNFAs with a lower level of education and training.
2. RNFA Experience
Experience is an essential factor that impacts RNFA salaries. RNFAs with more experience receive higher salaries than those with less experience. Experienced RNFA professionals command respect for their critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills, and other valuable qualities gained through practice.
3. Facilities type and geographical location
RNFA salaries can also vary based on the employer’s facility type and geographical location. RNFA salaries are generally higher in larger cities and metropolitan areas compared to smaller towns or rural areas. Additionally, the facility type, whether a hospital, surgical center, or private practice, can significantly influence RNFA salaries.
4. Specialty Area
Specialty areas for an RNFA, such as neurosurgery, cardiac surgery or orthopedic surgery, directly influence their salaries. RNFA salaries also depend on the demand and required skills in specific specialty areas.
5. Performance
RNFA performance and contribution to their organization or community can significantly impact salary. RNFA professionals with an excellent reputation for providing high-quality patient care services or who participate in research activities or mentoring students receive more commissions and bonuses.
RNFA Salary Survey Results
RNFA salary surveys provide insight into the earning potential for RNFA professionals based on their experience, location, and specialty area. The following are some key findings from recent RNFA salary surveys.
1) Average RNFA Salary
According to the 2020 RNFA Salary Survey by Salary.com, the average RNFA salary is $110,468 per annum. The salary range usually exists between $97,788 to $124,746.
2) RNFA Salary by Experience
The RNFA salary range can vary significantly based on experience. A novice RNFA professional with one to three years of experience earns an average salary of $98,000 annually. An RNFA with three to five years of experience makes an average of $114,000 per year, while an RNFA with five to ten years of experience can earn up to $121,000 per year. RNFAs with more than ten years of experience earned an average salary of $129,000.
3) RNFA Salary by Location
The salary surveys by PayScale and SalaryExpert show that RNFA salaries may vary based on location. For instance, RNFA professionals in Texas earn a median annual salary of $117,000, while their counterparts in California earn a median annual salary of $139,000. Lastly, those working in Florida earn a median salary of $111,000 per annum.
4) RNFA Salary by Specialty Area
RNFA salaries vary based on their expertise in a particular surgical specialty. For instance, RNFA professionals with experience in spinal surgery earn a median salary of $122,000, while those in cardiac surgery earn an average salary of $129,000. Neurosurgery RNFA professionals earn a median salary of $132,000, and those in orthopedic surgery earn an average salary of $137,000.
RNFA Salary Negotiation
RNFA professionals need to have excellent negotiating skills to secure the best salary packages available. Below are some steps RNFA professionals should take to ensure a successful salary negotiation.
1. Gather Information
RNFA professionals who are negotiating salaries must first gather information about the median salary range, average salaries, and bonus packages in their location, specialty area, and facility type. Research industry data or utilize available data from previous surveys or reputable websites such as PayScale or Glassdoor to help in negotiating a fair salary offer.
2. Highlight Competencies and Achievements
Highlighting personal competencies, such as critical thinking, problem-solving and communication, and achievements is an excellent strategy to demonstrate value and justify a high salary. RNFA professionals should share examples of their past experiences or success stories in the surgical environment that relate to the employer’s needs.
3. Understand the Employer’s Needs and Budget
RNFA professionals must understand the employer’s needs as well as their budget constraints before entering salary negotiations in the surgical environment. RNFA professionals should offer innovative solutions tailored to the employer’s needs while considering their budget.
4. Negotiate Other Benefits and Perks
RNFA professionals should also consider other benefits and perks besides a salary raise. Employers may be willing to offer additional benefits or perks such as continuing education, certification reimbursement, or additional time off that may ensure a balanced work-life situation other than salary negotiations.
5. Learning to Tactfully Communicate
RNFA professionals should learn to communicate tautly by practicing negotiation skills with others. Good communication skills will help RNFA professionals express their needs effectively without sounding demanding, rude, or disinterested in the role or organization.
Conclusion
The RNFA role is a crucial specialty area in the nursing profession, playing a significant role in the surgical environment. RNFA professionals must keep honing their skills, updating their knowledge through training, and keeping up with trends and demands in the field.
Salary is one of the top considerations for RNFA professionals, and they must consider key factors such as education, experience, location, facility type, and specialty area to determine a fair salary range in the surgical environment. RNFA salaries vary based on numerous factors, including experience, location, and specialty area, among others.
Salary negotiation requires RNFA professionals to gather pertinent information, highlight their competencies and achievements, understand the employer’s needs and budget, be willing to negotiate other benefits or perks besides the salary, and learn to communicate effectively.
In summary, RNFA professionals should continuously evaluate a range of factors affecting their salary, including experience levels, opportunities for growth, regional salary trends, and their contribution to high-quality patient care outcomes. When armed with these insights, RNFA professionals can attain a rewarding and fulfilling nursing career.