NIFA

At the end of World War II, diploma programs were the most common pre-licensure education programs; the schools were closely linked to the hospitals which administered the programs. At its peak, Toledo Ohio had eight diploma schools and each was affiliated with a hospital in the city. These programs placed an emphasis on developing clinical skills and much of the coursework was delivered on the hospital campus. 

Some perioperative professional work into their late 60s and even their 70s. For these nurses the end of their work years is drawing near, and they may be scaling back their paid work activity. They could assess how fulfilling their career and life have been, take stock of their accomplishments and hopefully reach a stage of acceptance.

The Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA) credential has existed since the mid-1990s but was purchased by the National Assistant at Surgery Certification (NASC) company in late 2018. Achieving accreditation is a noteworthy achievement considering the challenges faced by both the Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) community and NASC.

The problem of faculty shortages has been well known for over two decades.(5)(6) The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) explains that, “The current demand for master’s- and doctorally prepared nurses for advanced practice, clinical specialties, teaching, and research roles far outstrips the supply.”(2)

My inspiration for these monthly column comes from unexpected sources. A recent news release from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NBCSN) regarding a Unique Nurse Identifier, or UNI, prompted this article.1  This UNI, specific to an individual American nurse, already exists in the NCSBN records although many of us know very little about the concept.

I have made several recent road trips through rural America in the Southwest and upper Midwest. In those travels I often see rural hospitals in relatively small cities. As someone who writes about American health care this gives me pause to consider the financial health and stability of these facilities and their place within their communities.