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Rn First Assistant Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

The right RN should have 1-2 years recent acute care experience as a circulating nurse, and/or scrub nurse, and potentially RN first assistant. Read below for more requirements. As an OR Travel Nurse ...

Trustaff is seeking a travel nurse RN Cardiac Stepdown for a travel nursing job in Hilo, Hawaii ... Stepdown - Cardiac About Trustaff Our nurse-first attitude has set us apart from other travel ...

Trustaff is seeking a travel nurse RN Med Surg for a travel nursing job in Hilo, Hawaii ... M/S About Trustaff Our nurse-first attitude has set us apart from other travel nursing agencies ...

Travel Nurse RN - CVOR

Honolulu, HI · On-site

$2.5K - $3.4K/wk

Trustaff is seeking a travel nurse RN CVOR for a travel nursing job in Honolulu, Hawaii ... Operating Room - CVOR About Trustaff Our nurse-first attitude has set us apart from other travel ...

Trustaff is seeking a travel nurse RN Med Surg for a travel nursing job in Hilo, Hawaii ... M/S About Trustaff Our nurse-first attitude has set us apart from other travel nursing agencies ...

Trustaff is seeking a travel nurse RN Med Surg for a travel nursing job in Kula, Hawaii ... M/S About Trustaff Our nurse-first attitude has set us apart from other travel nursing agencies ...

Trustaff is seeking a travel nurse RN Med Surg for a travel nursing job in Hilo, Hawaii ... M/S About Trustaff Our nurse-first attitude has set us apart from other travel nursing agencies ...

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Rn First Assistant information

See Hawaii salary details

$36.9K

$111K

$192.2K

How much do rn first assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for rn first assistant in Hawaii is $110,967.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,000.00 and $134,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectRn First AssistantSurgical Technologist
CredentialsRegistered Nurse license, First Assistant certificationCertified Surgical Technologist (CST) or Tech certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, surgical centers, operating roomsOperating rooms, surgical suites, hospitals
Role FocusAssists surgeons during procedures, provides intraoperative supportPrepares operating rooms, sterilizes instruments, assists during surgery

While both roles support surgical teams, Rn First Assistants have advanced nursing credentials and directly assist surgeons during procedures, whereas Surgical Technologists prepare the surgical environment and assist indirectly. Rn First Assistants typically require more advanced certifications and have a broader scope of intraoperative responsibilities.

What is an RN First Assistant?

RN First Assistants (Registered Nurse First Assistants) are specialized registered nurses who work alongside surgeons and surgical teams during operations. They play a critical role in patient care by assisting with surgical procedures, providing direct patient care before, during, and after surgery, and helping to ensure the best possible outcomes. RNFAs are trained in advanced surgical techniques, such as suturing, controlling bleeding, and handling tissues, and they must have additional education and certification beyond standard registered nurse credentials.

What are the most common challenges faced by an RN First Assistant in the operating room?

As an RN First Assistant, one of the most common challenges is balancing direct surgical responsibilities with maintaining patient safety and effective communication within a fast-paced environment. You'll often need to anticipate the needs of the surgical team and adapt quickly to unexpected situations during procedures. Collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other OR staff is crucial, and handling stressful or high-pressure moments with composure is a key part of the role. Continuous learning and staying updated with surgical techniques also help in overcoming these challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an RN First Assistant?

To thrive as an RN First Assistant, you need advanced clinical knowledge in perioperative nursing, surgical procedures, and patient assessment, typically supported by RN licensure, perioperative experience, and CNOR or RNFA certification. Familiarity with surgical instruments, sterile technique, and electronic health records is essential for this role. Strong communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills help you collaborate effectively with surgical teams and respond quickly in high-pressure situations. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring patient safety, reducing complications, and supporting optimal surgical outcomes.
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What job categories do people searching Rn First Assistant jobs in Hawaii look for? The top searched job categories for Rn First Assistant jobs in Hawaii are:
What cities in Hawaii are hiring for Rn First Assistant jobs? Cities in Hawaii with the most Rn First Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Rn First Assistant job openings in Hawaii as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,967 per year, or $53.3 per hour.

Registered Nurse (RN) - First Assist

Adventist Health

Waimanalo, HI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 24 days ago


Adventist Health rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 243 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

132nd of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Adventist Health is seeking a Registered Nurse (RN) First Assist for a nursing job in Waimanalo, Hawaii.

Job Description & Requirements
  • Specialty: First Assist
  • Discipline: RN
  • Start Date: ASAP
  • Duration: Ongoing
  • Employment Type: Staff

RN Castle Benefits:

  • Evening Shift Differential: $2/hour
  • Night Shift Differential: $6/hour
  • Weekend Shift Differential: $1/hour
  • No Parking Fees

Located in Kailua, Adventist Health Castle has been one of the area's leading healthcare providers since 1963. We are comprised of a 160-bed hospital, eight medical offices, home care services, urgent cares and a vast scope of services located throughout O'ahu. In 2017, Adventist Health Castle was recognized with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation's highest presidential honor for performance excellence. O'ahu is known for its ideal climate, diverse culture and picturesque landscape. The allure of Castle's laid-back lifestyle is complimented by its close-knit and proud community.

Job Summary:

Organizes and facilitates the patient while in the Operating Room (OR). Coordinates the overall care of patient between surgeon, anesthesiologist and room staff. Functions as a first assistant during surgical incision, excision, and repair of pathology throughout the perioperative period on procedures for which privileges have been granted. Participates in preoperative assessment and planning for selected surgical patients in collaboration with the healthcare team members in the preoperative location. Regularly demonstrates subject matter expertise regarding medication, treatment and patient care standards.

Job Requirements:

Education and Work Experience:

  • Completion of an RNFA program that meets AORN standards: Required
  • Two years' perioperative nursing experience: Preferred

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the state of practice: Required
  • Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA) certification in the state of practice: Preferred
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from approved vendor per AH policy: Required
  • Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) certification: Required
  • Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Status (PEARS)/Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification from approved vendor per AH policy: Preferred
  • Association of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) membership: Preferred

Facility Specific License/Certifications:

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from approved vendor per AH policy: Required

Essential Functions:

  • Performs circulating and scrubbing duties. Verbally confirms surgical site/side before induction of anesthesia. Accurately performs all sponge, needle, sharp and instrument counts at appropriate time and according to department policy. Handles and dissects tissues in collaboration with the surgeon. Clamps blood vessels, coagulates bleeding points, ligates vessels, and performs other procedures in collaboration with the surgeon. Sutures muscle, fascia, subcutaneous, and skin tissue in collaboration with the surgeon. Places drains as surgically indicated. Assists with cannulation and decannulation procedures, if indicated.
  • Assists with transferring the patient to and from the operating room, positioning, prepping and draping. Provides patient with safe and aseptic environment by applying the principles of aseptic technique. Takes corrective action to rectify breaks in aseptic technique. Inspects sterile items before opening and maintains sterility of items during delivery to sterile field. Obtains and interprets patient data to determine appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, as needed. Develops and implements action plan for practice changes to enhance patient outcomes.
  • Maintains appropriate traffic patterns and personnel around the sterile field. Applies appropriate methods and parameters of sterilization/disinfection. Observes for general cleanliness of the Operating Room and takes appropriate action to amend, as necessary. Prepares instruments according to physician preference and scheduled procedure. Utilizes specific knowledge and skills in a surgical environment to assist the surgeon. Works under minimal supervision.
  • Documents relevant data, including but not limited to nursing diagnoses, patient's plan of care, intervention and response, and discharge plan. Mentors, develops, inspires, educates and leads staff members in patient care setting. Enhances efficiency and cost effectiveness by identifying opportunities to decrease costs, as applicable to the job.
  • Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Organizational Requirements:

Adventist Health is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our associates and patients. Therefore, we require that all associates receive all required vaccinations as a condition of employment and annually thereafter, where applicable. Medical and religious exemptions may apply.
Adventist Health participates in E-Verify. Visit for more information about E-Verify. By choosing to apply, you acknowledge that you have accessed and read the E-Verify Participation and Right to Work notices and understand the contents therein.

Adventist Health Job ID #66397. Posted job title: rn, surgery, first assistant, full time, day shift

About Adventist Health

Adventist Health is a faith-based, nonprofit, integrated health system serving more than 80 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii with over 400 sites of care, including 26 acute care facilities. Founded on Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in hospitals, clinics, home care, and hospice agencies in both rural and urban communities. Our compassionate and talented team of 37,000 includes employees, physicians, allied health professionals and volunteers driven in pursuit of one mission: living God's love by inspiring health, wholeness, and hope. We are committed to staying true to our heritage by providing patient-centered, quality care. Together, we are transforming the healthcare experience with an innovative and whole-person focus on physical, mental, spiritual and social healing to support community well-being.

Benefits
  • Continuing Education
  • Bereavement
  • Medical benefits
  • Dental benefits
  • Vision benefits
  • Health Care FSA
  • 403b retirement plan
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Life insurance
  • Holiday Pay
  • 401k retirement plan
  • Sick pay
  • Health savings account

What Adventist Health employees say

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