Peds cath lab

[bewareofthephog, BSN]

Wasn't sure where exactly to ask this so I figured I would start here. I currently work in a NICU at a children's hospital and the heart patients are generally my favorite to work with. There's a cath lab position open at my hospital and I was just curious if anyone had any peds cath lab experience that would be able to give some pros/cons of the job?

Most of the post op heart cath and CV surgery kids end up in the PICU here so I I'm just spitballing hoping that someone would be able to give some insight. Feel free to redirect me if needed!

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Well, how do you feel about wearing a lead apron and necktie for your whole shift? A big part of catheterization is the fluoroscopy that shows the structure and function of the heart. Although the room is kept on the chilly side, you're going to be sweating if you have to then put a gown on top of your lead. The procedure of catheterization is interesting to watch, the first dozen or so times, but the occasional cardiac arrest or accidental perforation of some structure will keep things from being too routine. However, having said all that, your actual interaction with the patients will be very limited. They're anaesthetized for most of the time they're in the suite; there will be some recovery-room-type nursing for the outpatients and you'll likely rotate through pre-cath, intracath and post-cath stations. It wouldn't be my cup of tea, but to each his own!