FNP in Interventional Radiology

jer_sd · Jan 18, 2010

Hello everyone,
Would like to connect with NP's working in Interventional Radiology; looking for advice, clinical pearls, resources, etc. that have helped you in this specialty. New FNP and first year of practice in this specialty. Appreciate all suggestions and assistance in advance.
Thank You,
Jen

I have worked in IR for 12 years, 6 as a NP.

A good book to start with is Vascular in Interventional radiology by Karim Valji the first few chapters cover a lot of what we do as NPs in radiology.

If you can scrub in on cases learn the procedures and what your docs want.

Join SIR and attend a meeting or two they have tracts for NP/PACs

Start learning radiographic anatomy, cross sectional anatomy. If you can learn to use an ultrasound for procedures and follow up patients.

A few quick questions

Will you be hospital based or clinic? Procedures or patient management?

Jeremy

kurtzmobile · Jan 19, 2010

Hi Jeremy,

First of all Thank you for the reply. I am hospital based and also seeing clinic patients. We are currently in the process of having an IR clinic being set up (unfortunately not completed yet). I spent 100 clinical hours with the IR Doctor prior to being hired. We do procedures as well as follow ups and patient management. The MD I work with does anything from as minor as PICC lines to SIR-Sphere treatment, chemoembolization, vertebroplasty, etc. Have been doing this since June and just was looking for advice and tips from others in the related field.

Thanks,

Jen

tklausner · Feb 25, 2010

Hi Jen and Jeremy,

I am a FNP and considering a job as an IR NP that is being offered to me at a hospital. I would love to hear more about your experiences and suggestions, guidance, etc. This seems like a fascinating and exciting field . I have been a NP for 10 years working in FP all along. I'd love to learn more and do allowed procedures but it's also scary too! :-) The one thing that seems a little confusing is the combination of the facility wanting clinical AND administrative duties performed. Do you have any suggestions? Also, during procedures, say an ESI or CT guided biopsy - if the NP is first assisting the Radiologist should I also expect a RN to be in the room too, or other support staff? I am a little unclear as to what their expectations are of me as this is the first time they are filling this kind of position. I'd like to know more of what to expect. I worked hard to get a master's degree as a FNP and want to be very careful about being used as a RN and not an NP. Does that make sense? Right now an OR nurse assists the MD with sedation and a Rad Tech that manages the C-Arm. I would love to hear input from people who do this and to hear more about what I should expect as a role. Thank you! Theresa

wildcatarnp · Feb 13, 2014

I may be starting down this path soon. I would love an update on how everyone is doing in this area. Thank you!

vschow · Oct 5, 2015

Holy cow!!! A few years late, but I'm in the exact same boat; however, I have less experience than you. I got hired and they're expecting both an administrative and clinical roles. I am also developing this position from the ground up as I am the first NP in this specialty at this hospital. If you have any pearls from your experience over the last few years, I would greatly appreciate it!!

Many thanks!

PG2018 · Oct 5, 2015

Holy cow!!! A few years late, but I'm in the exact same boat; however, I have less experience than you. I got hired and they're expecting both an administrative and clinical roles. I am also developing this position from the ground up as I am the first NP in this specialty at this hospital. If you have any pearls from your experience over the last few years, I would greatly appreciate it!!
Many thanks!

Wow. You seem really eager to spend a lot of time in a little dark room by yourself.

It sounds like you've got a lot of radiographic anatomy to brush up on. I feel for you. I don't consider myself to be an idiot by any means, but it all looks like a series of wavy blobs to me. Good luck! With dedication you can do anything.