Specialty Assemblies

AORN Specialty Assemblies are member-run, online groups offering members the opportunity to virtually interact with other nurses from across the nation who share an interest in the same specialty. The purposes of specialty assemblies include providing and promoting a dynamic network, serving as a forum for communication, identifying and exploring patient care issues, addressing current trends and issues, and promoting specialized educational programming.

AORN Specialty Assemblies List

Changing technology and medical care needs are creating new demands for education and more focused specialization within the perioperative nursing field. AORN offers 11 specialty assemblies, listed below. Click on your Specialty Assembly title of interest for more information.

Overview

The RNFA Specialty Assembly is for perioperative nurses who are practicing as RN first assistants (RNFAs), managing facilities that employ or contract with RNFAs, or are interested in finding out more about this specialty.

The RNFA Specialty Assembly is a coalition of perioperative nurses dedicated to the advancement of the role of the RNFA. Operating within the jurisdiction of and in collaboration with AORN, we provide a forum for the development of standards, the exchange of information, and the opportunity for education relative to the practice of the RNFA. In so doing, we enrich the quality of patient care and promote the enhancement of the role of the RNFA among our health care colleagues and the community at large.

Purpose Statements

  • Unite RNFAs for the purpose of maintaining a specialty assembly dedicated to the continuous endeavor of promoting the highest professional standards of practice among them.
  • Research, study, discuss, and exchange information pertinent to the field of first assisting.
  • Provide and promote a dynamic network of RNFAs that will address current trends and issues related to RNFAs and promote specialized education programs for RNFAs' continuing education.
  • Serve as a forum for RNFAs in order to enhance communication.
  • Provide recommendations that will guide the scope of practice, the standards of practice, and the educational preparation of RNFAs as issued by AORN.
  • Provide a resource body for RNFAs, RNFA managers, RNFA educators, and RNFA employers in order to promote and facilitate the practice of RN first assisting.
  • Serve as a resource to AORN in the area of first assisting.
  • Facilitate the application of clinical research in the RNFA practice setting.
  • Promote safe patient care through the application of AORN's standards and recommended practices in the RNFA practice setting.
  • Promote consumer awareness to administrators, institutions, physicians, clients, and insurers regarding the RNFA role, scope of practice, qualifications, and educational preparation.

Networking

As a member of this specialty assembly, you will automatically be placed into the Perioperative Infection Prevention Specialty Assembly on Nursing Network where you can contact other members or specialty assembly leaders, share information, upload resources and documents, post and respond to discussions, and more.

Join this specialty assembly under your AORN Hub Account and then visit this group on Nursing Network today.

How to Join a Specialty Assembly

You can join a specialty assembly simply by selecting as many as you want on the membership application when you  join or renew your membership.

Already a member?  Update or join a specialty assembly today under your AORN Hub account!

Once you have joined a specialty assembly, you will automatically be placed into the corresponding specialty assembly group(s) on Nursing Network.

Interested in Forming a Specialty Assembly?

To be considered for a new Specialty Assembly, the specialty area must be related to perioperative nursing practice. Requestors must submit the following information to [email protected] with the subject line: ‘New Specialty Assembly Request’ and include the following information:

  • Requester contact information (name, email, phone)
  • Proposed Specialty Assembly name
  • Specialty Assembly leadership (names/emails)
  • Specialty Assembly overview (brief description of intended audience)
  • Specialty Assembly purpose statement(s) (SA goals)
  • Specialty Assembly activities (brief description of meeting cadence, planned activities, etc.)

AORN will contact you within two-four weeks of submission request on approval status. Newly approved Specialty Assemblies will have a group on Nursing Network created, a complimentary Zoom account created, and will be listed on the Specialty Assembly webpage, which will be updated on a quarterly basis.

Members wishing to connect around non-perioperative shared interests may remain as or form a new common interest group on Periop Corner by visiting this page and clicking "New" to create a group.

As an AORN Specialty Assembly member, there are various ways to get more involved in your specialty assembly and interact with your fellow specialty assembly members.
Specialty assemblies are available to every member, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Interact with your fellow specialty assembly members on Nursing Network: participate in discussion groups, share documents, information and ideas, network, and more. Each specialty assembly has the opportunity to connect with other specialty assembly members via Zoom calls on a regular basis. These calls provide information about what the specialty assembly is working on and serves as an opportunity to have discussions regarding upcoming projects or specialty issues. Meet up with your fellow specialty assembly members at the AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo. Share best practices, network face-to-face, and gain insights specific to your specialty. Plus, most specialty assemblies include an education session prior to their meetings. Specialty assemblies have the opportunity to offer continuing education to AORN members via webinars, writing for the AORN Journal, and hosting a specialty assembly education session at the AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo.

Specialty Assembly Resource Center

Access information on how to run and stay involved in your specialty assembly, such as meeting resources, governance and accountability standards information, AORN Expo education session information, and more. Access Now

Need Help?

Email [email protected] or call Experience Services at (303) 755-6304.