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Rnfa Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

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Rnfa information

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$602

$2K

$3.4K

How much do rnfa jobs pay per week?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average weekly pay for rnfa in Tennessee is $1,976.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $1,509.62 and $2,217.31 per week, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an RNFA?

RNFA stands for Registered Nurse First Assistant. RNFAs are registered nurses who have received specialized training to assist surgeons during operations. They perform a variety of intraoperative duties such as handling tissues, controlling bleeding, suturing incisions, and providing direct surgical care under the supervision of a surgeon. RNFAs play a critical role in ensuring patient safety and supporting the surgical team throughout procedures.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an RNFA?

To thrive as a Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA), you need advanced clinical knowledge, surgical expertise, a valid RN license, and completion of an accredited RNFA program. Familiarity with surgical instruments, intraoperative technologies, and maintaining certification such as CNOR are typically required. Strong communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills help RNFAs coordinate effectively with surgeons and surgical teams. These competencies ensure patient safety, support optimal surgical outcomes, and facilitate efficient operating room dynamics.

What challenges do RNFAs face when integrating into surgical teams, and how can they overcome them?

Registered Nurse First Assistants (RNFAs) often encounter challenges such as adapting to diverse surgeon preferences, quickly building rapport with new team members, and maintaining clear communication in high-pressure operative environments. To overcome these challenges, RNFAs should prioritize continuous learning, seek feedback, and actively participate in preoperative briefings to understand each surgeon's expectations. Developing strong interpersonal skills and demonstrating flexibility can help RNFAs integrate smoothly and contribute effectively to positive surgical outcomes.

What is the difference between Rnfa vs Rnfa?

AspectRnfaRnfa
CredentialsRegistered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) certification, nursing licenseRegistered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) certification, nursing license
Work EnvironmentOperating rooms, surgical teamsOperating rooms, surgical teams
Industry UsageHospitals, surgical centersHospitals, surgical centers
Common Search IntentUnderstanding RNFA roles, certification requirementsUnderstanding RNFA roles, certification requirements

The comparison shows that Rnfa and Rnfa refer to the same role, with identical credentials, work environment, and industry usage. The main focus is on the RNFA certification and its role within surgical teams in healthcare settings.

Is becoming an RNFA worth it?

A Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) role involves assisting surgeons during procedures and requires additional certification after becoming a registered nurse. It can lead to higher earning potential and expanded responsibilities, but requires significant training and experience in perioperative nursing. The decision depends on career goals and interest in surgical assisting.

What are popular job titles related to Rnfa jobs in Tennessee?

For Rnfa jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Rnfa jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Rnfa jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Rnfa jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Rnfa job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Rnfa jobs in TN?

For Rnfa jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Rnfa job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $102,755 per year, or $49.4 per hour.

Full-time

Posted 14 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

228th of 1,064 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.
  • Provide hemostasis by:
  • Applying electrocautery tip to clamps or vessels in a safe and knowledgeable manner as directed by the surgeon.
  • Sponging and utilizing pressure as necessary.
  • Utilizing suction techniques.
  • Applying clamps on superficial vessels and the tying off, electrocoagulation of them as directed by the surgeon.
  • Placing suture ligatures in the muscle, subcutaneous, and skin layers.
  • Placing hemoclips on bleeders as directed by the surgeon.
  • Perform knot tying by:
  • Choosing suturing material and techniques (eg, knot tying, ligation of vessels, wound closure) based on physician preference, density of tissue, support for suture line, potential tissue necrosis, need to evert skin edges, and cosmetic effect.
  • Having knowledge of the basic techniques.
  • Tying knots firmly to avoid slipping.
  • Avoiding undue friction to prevent fraying of suture.
  • Carrying knot down to the tissue
  • Approximating tissue rather than pulling tightly to prevent necrosis.
Essential Responsibilities:
  • Approximating tissue rather than pulling tightly to prevent necrosis.
  • Correctly approximating tissue layers under the direction of the surgeon
  • Demonstrates proficiency in skin stapling techniques by assessing blood supply of tissues to be stapled, inspection of staple line, and applying skin staples correctly.
  • Handling and dissecting tissues in collaboration with the surgeon;
  • Clamp and sever tissue
  • Grasp and fixate with screws, staples and other devices
  • Perform specialized tissue handling, dissection, or cutting techniques under the direction of the operating surgeon
  • Clamping blood vessels, coagulating bleeding points, and ligating vessels in collaboration with the surgeon;
  • Suturing muscle, fascia, subcutaneous, and skin in collaboration with the surgeon.
  • Placing drains as directed by the surgeon
  • Assist with applying casts, plaster splints or other devices as indicated
  • Serve as an educator, mentor, consultant, and resource to peers, colleagues, and others in relation to RNFA activities
  • Transfer care as applicable.
  • Delegate tasks according to TN Nurse Practice Act and job descriptions.
  • Document nursing care accurately, completely, and legibly.
  • Collaborate effectively with other disciplines as applicable.
  • Ability to be self-directed in accomplishing the coordination and decision making responsibilities of this position, and be resourceful in problem solving.
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