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Questions about RNFA training, credentialing, reimbursements, state issues, or just want to "talk shop" between cases? Call Emily on the
NIFA HOT LINE!
She'll answer your question or immediately direct you to the right person for an answer. Call 1-800-92ASSIST, press 1.
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From the Editor
This month our
Graduate in the Spotlight, Michael Sheehan, MSN, RNFA, NPc, of Stanford Hospital and Clinics, is also the
author of our featured article about reading X-rays
- the first in a series about diagnostic image interpretation that Michael is writing exclusively for our readers.
Even though most of you are not involved in "interpretation,"
we think you'll find this educational - especially if you are one of our NP graduates or students.
 Do
YOU
have a surgical article or personal experience to share? We welcome your submissions for consideration. Please send your ideas to
news@nifa.com.
Julie Lancaster, Editor
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Graduate Spotlight
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Name:
Michael Sheehan
City & State:
Stanford, California
Credentials:
MSN, RNFA (NIFA grad '07), NPc, FCCM Current Job: Nurse Practitioner for Thoracic Aortic Surgery, Stanford Hospital and Clinics
Quote: My specialty is Thoracic Aortic Surgery and my expertise is imaging: I read CTs, MRs, echos, caths, etc. I have trained several NPs and a few CNSs at my facility who had an interest in learning to read images. Interpretation of images is outside the official scope of practice for most NPs and RNFAs, but that doesn't mean we can't learn. There are almost always images posted on the wall in the OR. Understanding how to read them gives you better understanding and makes you more marketable. Even though we're not the diagnostic person, image interpretation is still an important part of the perioperative process that a First Assistant can learn to understand.
Next steps:
Working to get into John Hopkins University's DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) program.
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Shades of Gray: Interpretations of Perioperative Imaging
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Installment 1: Interpreting X-Rays
By Michael Sheehan, MSN, RNFA, NPc
As Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs), we often order and rely on perioperative imaging to guide our decision making and plan our operative interventions. However, almost no BSN, RNFA, or even MSN curricula include interpretation of medical imaging. This forces us to abdicate our autonomy and rely on either the interpreting physician's "read" or our supervising physician's opinion. Learning to interpret medical imaging studies can increase our confidence and autonomy as well as increase our marketability and professional stature.
Read Michael's entire
first installment here.
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RNFA Tips
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Computer Tip for Perioperative Outlook Users:
If you use Outlook 2003 or 2007, here is a great new tool that organizes all your emails and does "searches" in an instant! It's new and it's FREE!
Visit
www.xobni.com.
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NIFA helps fund OR Management Education monthly as an
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