Cardiac Cath Lab Nurse

[AliceKath]

Hello,

I've just been offered a position as a cath lab nurse as a newly qualified nurse, and I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions. I've received mixed responses from others, but to me, it seems like an incredibly interesting area where I know I'll learn a great deal.

In the US, cath lab nurses are involved in tasks such as titrating drips and closely monitoring cardiac rhythms. Is the role similar in the UK?

Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated. 

 

Thank You

[DavidFR, BSN, MSN, RN]

My personal feeling is that as a newly qualified nurse the best first post is getting the feel of a "general" ward - something that falls under the umbrella of a "medical ward" or a "surgical ward" even if that may be specialised as cardiology, gastroenterology, GI surgery, ENT etc. it all falls within the brackets of "general medecine and surgery." Once upon a time you always got "ward" (general floor) experience first before thinking of ICU, ER, dialysis etc. and I would count cath lab as being very specialised for a newbie.

I realise my way of thinking is now very old hat, however, as a newbie I would make sure you have a good orientation program to look forward to with proper preceptorship etc. If, as you seem to suggest, you are arriving in the UK as a newly qualified US nurse, then an orientation program is doubly important. Check this out with your prospective employer.

Whatever you decide, good luck. Anything cardiac is extremely interesting. 

[AliceKath]

Hello, thank you for your response.

I am a UK trained nurse due to qualify in 6 weeks. The Cath Lab has a 6-9 month training programme which I think will help with the transition.

II agree with your suggestion to start on the general floor; however, the job situation in the UK is currently dire. Over half of my cohort is without jobs due to budget cuts, despite hospitals urgently needing nurses. The Cath Lab is one of the only positions available at the moment. This role requires me to relocate to another part of England, as there are no hospital positions open in my local area.

[skylark, BSN, RN]

Completely off topic, but if the job situation is that bad, maybe think about going overseas? 

When I qualified (last century!), the best piece of advice our tutor gave us was to spend two years gaining experience, while also studying to qualify overseas. Most went to Aus, and never came back!  Pay in the UK is ridiculous, it's just pocket money, and you can make two or three times as much elsewhere, with a much better climate and quality of life.  

[AliceKath]

Hello, to move overseas, I need to have experience as a registered nurse. My end goal is to move to the United States. However, I need two years of experience before this can happen. 

I am going to start the process to move to America as soon as I qualify at the end of July. 🙂