Applying for cath lab job, what should I study up on?

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Hi,

I graduated in May and have been working on an ortho/neuro floor since then. I am really wanting to try something more critical. I am applying for a job in a cardiac cath lab. I was wondering if those of you who work in this area could tell me what information I should brush up on since I've been mostly working with knees/hips the last 6 months. Also if you could tell me what all your job entails? Lastly, I was wondering if I have a chance at this job since I am almost a new grad?

Thanks a bunch and happy holidays!

Christi

Good for you for trying!

\I went from the NICU to the cath lab with no adult critical care experience, and it was hard at first, and still is sometimes. But if you are willing to work hard to understand the job and it's requirements, then you are likely to succeed. There is a certain degree of monotany in the lab, but then again, i feel like that exists in all jobs.

Let us know how things turn out!

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Update #2

Ok, well they ended up hiring a lady with ER and Telemetry experience that their boss reccomended. I found out on a Friday and was pretty upset. I thought I would be stuck on Ortho/neuro forever. Then the manager called me on Monday and told me he was really upset that he couldn't give me that job and that he was going to make a job up for me in the cardiac surgery area and also have me float to cath lab. He pretty much said I am an experiment for him and he wanted to see if he could make the perfect cardiac nurse. I went in to shadow for a open heart surgery, which I later found out was to see if the main cardiac surgeon approves of me or not (which I think is kinda stupid). Anyways I got the job and I start on Monday. Now the tough part is going to be switching from only working night shifts to early in the morning. :sleep:

Thanks to all of you who told me to go for it..ended up getting a job I think I will like even if I didn't get the one I applied for!

Christi

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Christi, my last change I too was the "second" choice. But it came around, as it did for you. You'll learn a lot and at least 1) you have a change in the right direction and 2) you know they're TRYING to get you into the Lab. Good for you! Let us know how the new position goes (WAKEY, WAKEY!!!! :D). --- D

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