[Sflowerssweeney]

I'm a new grad and just interviewed for an internship in the Critical Care Dept of a large hospital. I am interested in getting into a Cath Lab eventually. What I need to know is what is the best type of experience to have for this? This critical care dept has Open Hearts as well as every other type of patient on an ICU unit. Is this the best place for me to start?

[Dinith88]

Originally Posted by Sflowerssweeney

I'm a new grad and just interviewed for an internship in the Critical Care Dept of a large hospital. I am interested in getting into a Cath Lab eventually. What I need to know is what is the best type of experience to have for this? This critical care dept has Open Hearts as well as every other type of patient on an ICU unit. Is this the best place for me to start?

You dont really need critical-care experience to be a cath-lab nurse, but it'd help (obviously). Actually, a tele/step-down unit that deals with post-cath-lab patients would be best because you'll deal with a much higher volume of cath-lab patients there (pre-and-post procedure). You'll gain a good understanding of cardiac-type stuff, pulling sheaths, and post-procedure care. Cath-lab is such a specialty area that you'll only learn most of it by being in the lab.

[mummer43]

Originally Posted by Dinith88

You dont really need critical-care experience to be a cath-lab nurse, but it'd help (obviously). Actually, a tele/step-down unit that deals with post-cath-lab patients would be best because you'll deal with a much higher volume of cath-lab patients there (pre-and-post procedure). You'll gain a good understanding of cardiac-type stuff, pulling sheaths, and post-procedure care. Cath-lab is such a specialty area that you'll only learn most of it by being in the lab.

I would eventually like to get into the cath lab.

[Sflowerssweeney]

Thanks for the info Dinith88. I appreciate it.

[Ubernurse]

For the best experiance work in the department where they send out their post angiogram patients. Priority is prevention of groin bleeds so then you can learn about them after their procedure.

[Sflowerssweeney]

Thanks for your help. I'll be interviewing next week on the Cardiac Med Surg floor. I'll see where they send these patients, either to ICU or to that Cardiac Med Surg dept. Anyway, thanks to everyone for your responses.

[heartlover07]

I too am interested in the cath lab, I went one day to observe during school and I LOVED it so much I didn't want to leave
Ever since then I have had tunnel vision and I got a job on a tele stepdown unit ( I start in July after graduation in May) that gets post caths, rule out MI and EPS patients just to get the experience I need to go to the cath lab.... I can't wait to get there someday!! Good luck to you!!

[CCL"Babe"]

CCU is a good place to start. You will learn IABPs, wave forms/lines as well as groin stabilization. You will also be more familar with EKGs and types of MIs and their consequences.
I went from the ED and had to learn some of the "basic" critical care stuff like the balloon pumps and line care. Taking care of the groin afterwards is not so hard to learn.

[Wavedancer]

I agree with tele, or ccu stepdown if you are interested in cath lab. Hope u r ready for all that call back!
T

[heartlover07]

Originally Posted by Wavedancer

I agree with tele, or ccu stepdown if you are interested in cath lab. Hope u r ready for all that call back!
T

HI Waverunner
I'm sorry but what did you mean by callback...did you mean being on call or something else.....sorry for the stupid question.....