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First Assistant Nurse Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Nashville General Hospital

$70 - $100/hr

Function as an RN first assistant during operative and other invasive procedures by: * Providing exposure through correct use of instruments, retractors, suction, and sponging techniques; * Placing ...

Genie Healthcare

Travel CVOR First Assist

Paducah, KY · On-site

$1.9K - $2.6K/wk

CVOR First Assist * Discipline: Allied Health Professional * Start Date: ASAP * Duration: 13 weeks ... Genie provides travel RN's flexibility, support, top pay scale, housing and the #1 rated, multi ...

Yale NewHaven Health

$90 - $120/hr

Qualifications EDUCATION R.N. LICENSURE R.N. Licensed in Ct. Skills Knowledge in tissue handling technique, knot-tying hemostasis techniques and appropriate use of instruments. BLS required PHYSICAL ...

New

Cancer Nursing Today

$105 - $165/hr

Gynecologic Oncology APP | OR First Assist | Albuquerque, New Mexico Join a physician-led ... Work alongside 2 board-certified gynecologic oncologists, 6 APPs, dedicated RNs, infusion staff ...

Atlantic Health System

$83 - $124/hr

The responsibilities of the Registered Nurse First Assist is to collaborate with the surgeon during surgical procedures. * Apply principles of sepsis and infection control, knowledge of surgical ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsFirst Nurse JobsFirst Assistant Nurse JobsFirst Assistant Nurse Jobs in Kentucky

First Assistant Nurse information

See Kentucky salary details

$19.1K

$32.9K

$46.9K

How much do first assistant nurse jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for first assistant nurse in Kentucky is $32,863.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27,400.00 and $36,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a first assistant nurse?

First Assistant Nurses, also known as Registered Nurse First Assistants (RNFAs), are specially trained nurses who assist surgeons during surgical procedures. Their responsibilities include providing direct patient care, helping with surgical instruments, controlling bleeding, suturing incisions, and ensuring the safety of the patient throughout the operation. They work alongside surgeons, anesthesiologists, and surgical technologists to ensure procedures run smoothly and safely. Typically, First Assistant Nurses have advanced education and certification beyond the standard registered nurse (RN) credentials.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a first assistant nurse?

To thrive as a First Assistant Nurse, you need advanced clinical skills in perioperative care, surgical procedures, and patient assessment, typically supported by RN licensure and completion of a First Assistant training program. Familiarity with surgical instruments, sterile technique, and electronic medical records is essential, and certification such as CNFA (Certified Nurse First Assistant) is often preferred. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to work under pressure set outstanding First Assistant Nurses apart. These skills are crucial for ensuring patient safety, supporting surgeons efficiently, and maintaining optimal surgical outcomes.

What are some common challenges first assistant nurses face during surgical procedures, and how can they effectively address them?

First Assistant Nurses often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing surgical conditions, communicating efficiently with the surgical team, and managing instruments under pressure. To address these, it's important to stay organized, anticipate the needs of the surgeon, and maintain clear, assertive communication throughout the procedure. Continuous learning and building strong relationships with both surgeons and surgical technologists can also help improve adaptability and teamwork in the operating room.

What is the difference between First Assistant Nurse vs Surgical Technologist?

AspectFirst Assistant NurseSurgical Technologist
CredentialsRN license, specialized surgical trainingPost-secondary certificate or diploma, surgical tech certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, surgical centers, assisting during surgeriesOperating rooms, preparing surgical instruments, assisting surgeons
Employer & IndustryHospitals, clinics, healthcare facilitiesSurgical centers, hospitals, outpatient clinics
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

The First Assistant Nurse and Surgical Technologist both work in surgical settings, but the First Assistant Nurse holds an RN license and provides direct patient care and assistance during surgeries. Surgical Technologists mainly prepare the operating room and assist surgeons with instruments. While both roles support surgical teams, the First Assistant Nurse has a broader scope of practice and requires nursing credentials, making it a more advanced position in the surgical environment.

Is becoming a first assistant nurse worth it?

Becoming a first assistant nurse can be worthwhile for those interested in advanced clinical roles, as it often involves specialized training and certification, such as a surgical assisting certification. The position offers opportunities for increased responsibility, higher pay, and working closely with surgical teams in healthcare settings. However, it requires additional education and experience compared to standard nursing roles.

What are popular job titles related to First Assistant Nurse jobs in Kentucky?

For First Assistant Nurse jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching First Assistant Nurse jobs in Kentucky look for?

The top searched job categories for First Assistant Nurse jobs in Kentucky are:

What cities in Kentucky are hiring for First Assistant Nurse jobs?

Cities in Kentucky with the most First Assistant Nurse job openings:

First Assistant Nurse jobs near you
Infographic showing various First Assistant Nurse job openings in Kentucky as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,863 per year, or $15.8 per hour.

RN First Assist

Nashville General Hospital

On-site

$70 - $100/hr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

Nashville General Hospital rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

226th of 1,065 rated hospitals

Job description

Title and Definition Essential Responsibilities
  • Responsible to the patient and the surgical team to assist, educate and otherwise facilitate an optimal outcome for the patient
  • Participate in preoperative assessment and planning for surgical patients specific to RNFA activities (eg, anatomical exposure, wound closure) in collaboration with perioperative team members.
  • Develop an individualized perioperative patient plan of care.
  • Implement the plan of care by:
  • Assist with positioning, prepping and draping of the patient or perform there independently, if so directed by the surgeon.
  • Protecting the patient from injury caused by extraneous objects and chemical, electrical, laser, mechanical, and thermal sources;
  • Participating in accounting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items;
  • Performing interventions necessary to ensure that the patient’s procedure is performed on the correct site, side, and level;
  • Delays surgical procedure if any discrepancy among parties, patient history and physical, consents, or scheduled procedure occurs.
  • Assisting with management of the patient’s specimens as necessary;
  • Communicating the patient’s current status to relevant parties throughout the continuum of care;
  • Administering medications safely and correctly;
  • Performing interventions to maintain the patient’s wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels;
  • Performing interventions to maintain the status of the patient’s genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems and fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balances at or above baseline levels;
  • Performing interventions to ensure the patient is at or returned to normothermia at the conclusion of the immediate postoperative period;
  • Performing interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection;
  • Assessing the knowledge level of the patient or designated support person;
  • Demonstrates the ability to operate specialized equipment intra-operatively; i. e. stapling instrumentation, laparoscopic tools and equipment, orthopedic drills, and instrumentation, lasers, etc. per established procedures.
  • Providing education regarding the expected psychosocial response, nutritional management, medication management, pain management, wound management, and expected responses to the operative or invasive procedure;
  • Acts as a resource person for the operating room staff.
Essential Responsibilities:
  • Acts as a resource person for the operating room staff.
  • Involve the patient or designated support person actively in decisions affecting his or her perioperative care and the rehabilitation process;
  • Protecting the patients’ rights, dignity, and privacy;
  • Providing age-specific, culturally competent, ethical care within legal standards of practice; and
  • Providing consistent and comparable care regardless of the setting.
  • Function as an RN first assistant during operative and other invasive procedures by:
  • Providing exposure through correct use of instruments, retractors, suction, and sponging techniques;
  • Placing and holding surgical retractors and demonstrating stamina for sustained retraction
  • Retaining manually controlled retractors in the position set by the surgeon with regard to surrounding tissue.
  • Anticipating retraction needs with knowledge of the surgeon’s preferences and anatomic structures
  • Packing sponges or laparotomy pads into body cavities to hold tissues and organs out of the operative field
  • Managing all instruments in the operative field to prevent obstruction of the surgeon’s view.
  • Considers anatomical and physiological implications when selecting, placing, and moving retractors to provide surgical site exposure and reduce tissue injury.
  • Suctions surgical site as necessary to remove smoke, blood, and fluids from the site to improve visualization and decrease biohazard exposure.
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