New grad angio/IR nursing/prep/recovery

[AmyBSN2013]

Help! I just got my first nursing job... in Interventional radiology/angio and also prep/recovery. It's a hybrid position. I have 13 years of CNA experience in the hospital in the critical care float pool, so I know the basics of what they do, but as far as the nursing side of it... ??? I'm not sure what to study/expect. I know that they ususally require at least a year in critical care as a nurse before you can apply, but they are making an exception for me, so I don't want to fail! I know I need to get my basic ekg class and ACLS out of the way, but where else do I start?

[Star RN]

First, congrats on the position! I hope you will have a great preceptor. This makes a HUGE difference in stress level your first year as an RN. I had 10yrs cardiac surgical PCU/float CSU experience prior to my current position. I now work in an outpatient vascular surgical center. I felt overwhelmed initially. We do interventional angiograms,fistulograms IVC filter placement. As the only nurse, I do the pre-op, sedation and recovery.

As a new nurse, you should focus on your assessment skills and know your medications. Never give a medication without knowing your pharmacology. ACLS of course and know your cardiac rhythms. If your giving sedation, you need to have strong airway management skills. You will be starting lots of IV's. Know your catheters too! What type of procedures will your patients have in your dept.?