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SutureStar™ Workshops for Physician Assistants/Physician Associates
Take the Best Route for a PA-C First Assisting Career — at the NIFA SutureStar™ Workshop, you will be immersed in surgical cases for five days applying the techniques you practiced at home. You will concentrate on mastering skills such as palming instruments, consistently tying square and flat knots, appropriately approximating tissues, suturing around vessels, following surgeons during simple running or a running technique, tying knots in deep wounds, assuring a square knot every time and working with all types of sutures to name a few. You will master key techniques by Physician Assistants/Associates assisting in nearly all specialties.
3-DAY CME CREDITS
This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 21 AAPA Category 1 CME CREDITS. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. Approval is valid from 10/9/2025 to 9/30/2026. AAPA reference number: CME-2014528. APRNs may use AAPA Category 1 CMEs.
5-DAY CME CREDITS
This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 35 AAPA Category 1 CME CREDITS. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. Approval is valid from 10/9/2025 to 9/30/2026. AAPA reference number: CME-2014529. APRNs may use AAPA Category 1 CMEs.
THE ROLE OF THE SURGICAL PA
The American Association of Surgical PAs defines the surgery PA as, "Surgical PAs are highly skilled clinicians who have received didactic and clinical training to function in all areas of the peri-operative environment; including pre-admission, testing, intra-operative first assisting, PACU care, SICU care, step-down unit, and outpatient clinical care."
The PA who specializes in surgery will understand the detail and sequential advancement of each surgical case. They have the ability to coordinate with the surgical team to provide the highest surgical care to our patient population. The primary role of the surgical PA is to first assist licensed surgeons in surgery, however the surgical PA commonly is the familiar face the patient establishes care with upon initial consultation. Due to the surgical PA’s involvement in all aspects of perioperative care, they serve the vital role of providing accurate answers to surgical patient’s questions, communicate clearly with the medical team and patient family members and ensure appropriate post operative care. Becoming a skilled surgical PA allows PAs to function at the top of their license.
COMPETITIVE EDGE
NIFA® is the nation's largest trainer of First Assists. By enrolling in a PA SutureStar™ Workshop you obtain a competitive edge that uniquely distinguishes you from other Surgical PA applicants. Even more valuable, you will develop the confidence you need to perform well in the operating room.
Eligibility For PAs
Must be actively enrolled in a PA program or have graduated from a PA program.
Category 1 CMEs*
21 AAPA Category 1 CMEs – 3 Day Workshop*
35 AAPA Category 1 CMEs – 5 Day Workshop**
College Certificate of Completion
NIFA Certificate of Mastery
OUR ONE-OF-KIND SUTURESTAR™ WORKSHOPS
With up to 30 times more hands-on training than other programs, NIFA program guarantees to have you performing at expert levels before seeing your first patient or we will retrain you, free of charge. It just makes sense that when you add NIFA training to your portfolio, you'll be even more in demand.
NIFA is the only training that offers the following classes, guaranteed to take you to the front of the line:
- Laparoscopic Labs
- Endoscopic Vessel Harvesting (EVH) Labs
- Transverse Colon Resection Labs
- Cesarean Section Labs
- ORIF of the Femur Labs
- Carotid Endarterectomy Labs
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Repair Labs
TUITION
Training starts at $4,080. Final pricing is determined based on each student's experience, individual needs, and Admissions Policies.
OUR GUARANTEE: Your Success as a Surgical PA is Our Priority
At NIFA, we are committed to your success in the operating room. That’s why we proudly stand behind our SutureStar PA Workshop with this guarantee: If you complete our workshop and actively participate in all required training, we guarantee that you will gain the confidence, skills, and practical knowledge needed to thrive as a Surgical PA — or we’ll retrain you free of charge.
Whether you need extra guidance, additional practice time, or one-on-one support from our expert instructors, we won’t stop until you feel fully prepared and empowered. Your success is our mission — and we stand by it.
Michelle Dellene MMS, PA-C, RYT
President of The American Association of Surgical PAs
Cell: (352) 267-9016
NIFA has served as the exclusive wound-closure skills training provider for the American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants (AASPA) National Conferences in both 2024 and 2025.
Upcoming SutureSTAR™
Workshops
NIFA offers over 20 dates in 16 different cities. We have monthly payment options. VIEW ALL WORKSHOPS
Chicago, IL
Las Vegas, NV
Columbus, OH
Los Angeles, CA
Denver, CO
Atlanta, GA
Las Vegas, NV
Emergency At 3 AM
At three in the morning, in the middle of a complex surgery, a surgeon wants a highly skilled and competent PA. Mastery of surgical skills is the ultimate measure of a successful PA. The National Institute of First Assisting (NIFA) recognized this problem and developed training programs for experienced, perioperative PAs that raised the bar in NIFA PA First Assistant training.
NIFA: YOUR TOP CHOICE FOR SURGICAL TRAINING
The Largest Trainer
NIFA is one of the largest, distance learning surgical training programs for PAs in the nation, specializing in health care education since 1995.
Accredited Programs
Our training program meets all AORN Education Standards, is presented through institutionally accredited colleges recognized by the USDOE and CHEA, and is associated with those college accredited nursing programs.
Advancing Surgical Skills
Our training program is designed for PAs who aspire to broaden their surgical skills and achieve certifications that are recognizedby all 50 boards of nursing.
Early Bird Registration Discount
Online RNFA Program + 5-Day SutureStar™ – Save $1,148 off Tuition
Online RNFA Program + 3-Day SutureStar™ – Save $853 off Tuition
Monthly installments for tuition are available.
Request RNFA Program details/cost
via text at (720) 431-6508
Request More InfoBUILD CONFIDENCE. LEARN TECHNIQUES. EARN MORE.
Hear what our past students and graduates liked most about our SutureStar™ Workshops and why they recommend them to friends and peers.
View More Testimonials
LOREN BALDWIN
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
“...the repetition, the skills, the different techniques, from adult medicine, to trauma, to pediatrics, you're gonna see and learn a gamut of skills.”
DANA ULRICH
Registered Nurse
“...When I started looking into training, I talked with some of the RNFAs at work and this program came highly recommended!”
THOMAS VEGA
RNFA Graduate
“...I graduated this course 10 years ago, but came back to revisit my skills, especially for things I'm not doing regularly.”
TENLEY JOHNSON
Surgical Team Member
“...I just took a role with an orthopedic surgical team and I think these skills will help me understand what's happening in the OR.”
**3-Day Workshop Earns 21 AAPA Category 1 CME Credits
This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 21 AAPA Category 1 CME CREDITS. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. Approval is valid from 10/1/2024 to 9/30/2025. AAPA reference number: CME-2012275.
*** 5-Day Workshop Earns 35 AAPA Category 1 CME Credits
This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 35 AAPA Category 1 CME CREDITS. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. Approval is valid from 10/1/2024 to 9/30/2025. AAPA reference number: CME-2012092.