Calling Cath Lab & EP Lab Nurses!

[MisRN]

I am currently a school nurse and am looking to return to cardiac nursing. My background includes ER nursing, PACU nursing, PCU and a couple years on a CHF unit. I reached out to the nursing director of Cardiac services with some questions about what might be available in a couple months and she laid out 3 options. She basically said to let her know what I want and she'd be willing to train me. I'm a bit torn of which way to go between two of the options. (The third is cath-holding and I know what to expect there... I think). The options are between Cath Lab and EP lab. There are things to consider that are job specific too (call, weekend requirements, FT vs PT, etc....) but a better insight to each position is what I'm looking for.

What resources (online or in print) would you recommend for brushing up on cardiac rhythms, a/p, etc...?

Thanks in advance for your input!

[RN Tina]

Hi MisRN

I've been working in a Cardiac Cath Lab environment for nearly 8 years now. We do a mix of Cardiac Caths, EP (devices, ablations, diagnostics), Transcathether valve insertions, ASD closures etc, as well as interventional radiology.

I much prefer cardiac caths over EP as you are (at least where I work) much more hands on and involved with the cases. We scrub with the doctor, do the tech work, and take care of conscious sedation while scouting.

I'm currently part time and on pretty standard 8 hour days as I have a young family but I still do oncall twice a week. There is often a lot of overtime in our lab and you never quite know when your day is going to end. That said, bigger labs have much more staff to work with so there will usually be a late shift to take over.

I think it's a really interesting and rewarding area of nursing to work in. And with your skill background you'll no doubt pick up what you don't already know very easily. It's very much a learn on the job kind of environment, like a trade!

[BriGuyRN75]

I see you posted a few weeks ago, did you make a decision? I have been working in Cath Lab for 13 years and I cannot imagine working anywhere else. Fast paced and a wonderful team environment. The Nurses, Doctors, Techs and RT's in my cath lab are truly like a small family.

[MisRN]

On 3/2/2019 at 7:43 PM, BriGuyRN75 said:

I see you posted a few weeks ago, did you make a decision? I have been working in Cath Lab for 13 years and I cannot imagine working anywhere else. Fast paced and a wonderful team environment. The Nurses, Doctors, Techs and RT's in my cath lab are truly like a small family.

I have not decided what I'm going to do . I'd love to go back to cardiac nursing, but now we are moving about an hour away from where we are and so I'll be starting from scratch to find a job. Wish me luck!