New nurse in cath lab

[RNpds]

Hello everyone, I’m a brand new nurse fresh out of school and recently acquired an amazing opportunity with the cath lab and I am currently in orientation. I have dreamed of working here for years because it has always intrigued me and I have been a patient multiple times due to congenital issues so I really take it to heart (no pun intended). I have a few years of experience as a tech on a tele floor and I feel I am fairly proficient with ekg’s (probably doesn’t mean much right now because I’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg) and always did well during cardiac areas in class/clinical, as well as learning from the nurses on my old unit. Not trying to brag at all, I am simply trying to give a background on my experience as well as where I stand as a nurse at this moment. I know I still have much to learn. For you experienced cath lab nurses, what are some pointers you’d give to a newbie starting in this department, what are things you wish you would have known when you started? I want to be the best nurse I can be, and I am wondering how I can be ahead of the game and pull my weight. Also other miscellaneous questions such as, if I invested in my own lead, what is best for my own protection as well as less strain on my back? Certain shoes? Other personal equipment, exercises, etc? (Being a tech has done a number on my back already and I’m still fairly young, 24 year old dude lol). Any other tips? Thank you to everyone who stumbles upon this and leaves some wisdom for a hungry nurse! Im so proud to join the ranks!

[Royalq]

So cool. I graduate in June and I LOVE cardiac. I want to get into the cath lab too but I was trying to start on a cardiac step down (which is difficult) to gain experience. I didn’t know some cath labs take new nurses!! I felt like that area was a no go zone unless you had experience. Maybe I should apply??

[NurseTrishBSN, CNA, RN]

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! And don’t be surprised by the weird personalities in the cath lab. It’s also interesting that you will be working with medics side by side so that makes for a different environment. Good luck!

[Wolf at the Door, BSN]

Is this a diagnostic cath lab? Or Interventional Lab?

what Interventional cath lab takes a new grad? I can see if you were once a cath lab tech, fine. You need some kind of cardiac background other than tele tech. ICU, Cardiac Stepdown, setting up simple Procedures, IV starts under duress , different levels of sedation, drips, code exp, RSI, and vent management.