Last Friday, FNP students were invited to attend a suturing lecture and workshop delivered by Rosellen Meystrik, MD, FACS, Mercy Plastic Surgery, and retired Colorectal surgeon Patrick Brooks, MD.

Third-year FNP students Sarah Irwin, Celeste Andrews, Kristen Sullivan, and Josh Lawler and second-year FNP student, Brittany Lanham, attended the workshop.  Dr. Ronda Entlicher-Stewart, Assistant Professor, was also in attendance and assisted with teaching and practice.

The suturing workshop is originally intended to be throughout the weekend to teach Registered Nurse First Assist candidates from around the country, but due to COVID, many candidates could not attend.  Dr. Cindi Aurentz graciously invited FNP students to be a part of the 4-hour workshop.

I cannot describe how wonderful of an opportunity it was to learn so closely from such experienced professionals.

“We learned and developed many additional techniques and skills, such as the various mattress techniques used in the operating room and advanced education on simple suturing.  This workshop reinforced our foundational knowledge about suturing, facilitated a welcoming and open teaching environment with our medical/APRN colleagues and mentors in the community, and provided a much-needed opportunity to spend time with our friends, peers, and faculty outside formal classes,” said Lawler.

**Those are pig’s feet in the photo.  No animals were harmed for the production of the training aids or photos.  All animal products were obtained through Harter House by Dr. Aurentz.

RNFA

Registered Nurse First Assist is a graduate certificate program where students gain the training and skills needed to assist in surgery. Students can expand their role from registered or advanced-practice nurse to registered nurse first assistant (RNFA).