Ballon Pump Experience

Can anyone tell me if it is worth the effort to get Balloon Pump Certified (I.A.B.P) ? Will it help with getting into CRNA school or the knowledge come in handy working as a CRNA?

I currently work in CVICU getting my experience however I do not want to waste my time when I could be studying for my CCRN.

Thanks for any advice

SleepyJoe

The advantage would be more in caring for the sick pt (multiple vasoactive drips, PA cath, etc.) than the acutual mechanics of operating the IABP....

Every good ICU nurse should know the mechanics of an IABP monitor, especially if you plan on putting people to sleep for a living....this is not a plus or minus on your application...this is a learning experience that will help you in way unimaginable in the future. Please don't ever consider ANY learning opportunity wasted or frivolous.....it is just not worth it to the people that you will one day be serving. (Just think if you had to go under the knife with an anesthesist that debated the wisdom of learning the mechanics of something so minor as an IABP....!)

If I'm not mistaken, IABP concepts are included in the CCRN exam. Seems like you'd be a fool to pass up a free review, and doubly so if you get paid for the education time.

Every good ICU nurse should know the mechanics of an IABP monitor, especially if you plan on putting people to sleep for a living....this is not a plus or minus on your application...this is a learning experience that will help you in way unimaginable in the future. Please don't ever consider ANY learning opportunity wasted or frivolous.....it is just not worth it to the people that you will one day be serving. (Just think if you had to go under the knife with an anesthesist that debated the wisdom of learning the mechanics of something so minor as an IABP....!)

Remember that most hospitals in this country do NOT do open hearts and do NOT have a balloon pump. Having the knowledge is fine, no argument there.

Agreed, most hospitals don't do open hearts, but that doesn't mean they don't have balloon pumps. We use pumps on occasion to help stabilize a patient enough for transport so they can make it to open heart surgery. Also, two of the three CRNA schools I interviewed at included questions on balloon pumps. As stated earlier, education and knowledge is a good thing, you never know where or when you may need it. Personally, I take advantage of the education offered.

i would suggest taking the class. it shows a desire to continue learning and all new knowledge is helpful.

I think the question has to do with a choice. Ofcourse it is beneficial for ICU nurses to know how to work with a balloon pump. My anicdotal experience is that few nurses accepted into CRNA programs are proficient at pumps. If you are limited in time, the CCRN exam is I believe more recognized as an asset to your application. It gives the admissions committee a measurable evaluation of your intensive care skills, thus the reason several schools request it specifically. It is more comprehensive and a good review for possible topics covered during clinical portions of your interview. So if you had to make a choice, CCRN.

Can anyone tell me if it is worth the effort to get Balloon Pump Certified (I.A.B.P) ? Will it help with getting into CRNA school or the knowledge come in handy working as a CRNA?

I currently work in CVICU getting my experience however I do not want to waste my time when I could be studying for my CCRN.

Thanks for any advice

SleepyJoe

SleepJoe,

I am telling you this from the perspective of a CVICU Charge Nurse and CRNA School applicant. I interviewed with a school last year and they asked me specific questions about the IABP. I think that it is good knowledge to have period, but it won't be the difference between you getting in school or not. How can you take care of a patient on this device if you do not know about the waveform that you are looking at and how to adust settings for optimal augmentation! Yes, I agree with other posts that you will not need to know how to manage one in CRNA school because the perfusionists usually manage them in surgery, but you do need to know it for your knowledge base now. Overall, I think CCRN certification is key when applying to school. This gives you a measurable advantage for getting an interview and getting in. The school I interviewed with told me that i should obtain my CCRN and retry next year, so I went and got my certification. Just studying for the test alone will increase your confidence level and make you feel like you have got that edge. Applying the concepts will be the task. Anyway, I think that obtaining CCRN certification is a no-brainer and would far outweigh any other certification when applying to school, but remember it is not ultimately needed when applying to most schools. Perseverance and diligence will pay off!! Good Luck!!

Louisiana RN,BSN,CCRN - 5 years in ICU/CCU

Hello,

I was wondering if RaginCajunRN is from Lafayette? I graduated from ULL in the fall of 2002. I will be attending TCU in August. If the message applies to TCU, I had no questions on the balloon pump. However, studying for CCRN is very essential for the program. It is now a requirement. It will increase your confidence and overall view of critical care. Study hard and do practice questions. The test is hard but passable. Talk to you soon.

micvic RN,BSN,CCRN,SRNA

SleepJoe,

I am telling you this from the perspective of a CVICU Charge Nurse and CRNA School applicant. I interviewed with a school last year and they asked me specific questions about the IABP. I think that it is good knowledge to have period, but it won't be the difference between you getting in school or not. How can you take care of a patient on this device if you do not know about the waveform that you are looking at and how to adust settings for optimal augmentation! Yes, I agree with other posts that you will not need to know how to manage one in CRNA school because the perfusionists usually manage them in surgery, but you do need to know it for your knowledge base now. Overall, I think CCRN certification is key when applying to school. This gives you a measurable advantage for getting an interview and getting in. The school I interviewed with told me that i should obtain my CCRN and retry next year, so I went and got my certification. Just studying for the test alone will increase your confidence level and make you feel like you have got that edge. Applying the concepts will be the task. Anyway, I think that obtaining CCRN certification is a no-brainer and would far outweigh any other certification when applying to school, but remember it is not ultimately needed when applying to most schools. Perseverance and diligence will pay off!! Good Luck!!

Louisiana RN,BSN,CCRN - 5 years in ICU/CCU

never cared for a patient on a balloon pump, i know the priciples,couldn't set one up if my life, or anyone elses for that matter, depended on it. but i give good quality safe anesthesia for all kinds of patients from healthy to sick. not once has anyone asked me a question about a balloon pump.

now having said that, dont pass up opportunities for learning...i just never had the opportunity to learn that skill, but it has not held me back in my anesthesia learning.

de

Working previously in a CVSICU, I felt learning IABP helped wonders to understanding hemodynamics overall. Not only that, but it allows you to take care of sicker patients which I believe is the most important. Learning everyday at work by taking sick patients seems to me to be the most valuable experience I got. That being said, I took every certification I could because I liked and wanted to learn as much as possible, I don't like not knowing what's going on. Most IABP classes can be taken in less than two days and then learned at work. You can do both IABP and CCRN.