Registered Nurse, Certified First Assistant
Posted Jan 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026
Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
About your past
Tell me about a time you noticed a patient safety issue during surgery and spoke up.
What they are checking: Willingness to advocate for the patient in a high-pressure, hierarchical setting.
Tell me about the most complex surgery you have assisted with. What made it hard?
What they are checking: Depth of experience with high-acuity cases like those in a cancer hospital.
What RNFA or CNOR credentials do you hold, and how do you keep your skills sharp?
What they are checking: Credentials and ongoing learning required for advanced perioperative practice.
What would you do
How do you prepare for a case with a surgeon whose preferences you do not know?
What they are checking: Whether they do their homework on a new surgeon and adjust smoothly once the case starts.
During a case the surgeon asks you to do something you believe is outside your scope. What do you do?
What they are checking: Understanding of scope of practice and the confidence to set limits safely.
About the work
Walk me through how you assist a surgeon with exposure and retraction during a major cancer resection.
What they are checking: Real first-assist skill that anticipates the surgeon's needs in complex procedures.
How does your role as an RN first assistant differ from a scrub nurse or circulator?
What they are checking: Clear understanding of RNFA scope and the responsibilities that come with it.
What wound closure and hemostasis techniques are you comfortable performing?
What they are checking: Hands-on skill level for the tasks the surgeon will delegate.
How do you position a patient for a long robotic or laparoscopic procedure?
What they are checking: Knowledge of positioning that prevents nerve injuries and pressure damage.
How do you contribute to perioperative care before and after the actual surgery?
What they are checking: A full view of the perioperative role beyond the procedure itself.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by City of Hope Chicago.