Perfusionist

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello,

Can anyone assist in advising on how to become a Medical Perfusionist. Or is there anyone out there that is a Medical Perfusionist that can describe your pathway to the job and describe your typical day.

Thank you!

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

It's a master's program (not an MSN) from what I'm aware

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You could shadow a perfusionist in the OR or go to an ICU that works with ECMO and gain alot more information about perfusion.

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Most programs are masters level. They have varied entrance requirements but most require a bachelors degree and most of your basic sciences including chemistry, physics, A&P, math, etc. it seems similar to PA or MD prerequisites honestly. Quick google search and you will find a list of all of the perfusion programs. It does seem like an awesome profession and it's personally appealing to me. Seems like a great salary, reasonable hours, and although not really advanced practice in the sense of nursing, it does seem like nursing (especially thise with ECMO experience) would progress nicely

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

I am thinking if you have to get your masters to do that job, why not just do PA or NP, as you would have way more job options. I think being a perfusionist would initially be exciting, but it would get really boring after a year or two and you would be left with no really options to change.

Just my 2 cents.

Annie

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I am thinking if you have to get your masters to do that job, why not just do PA or NP, as you would have way more job options. I think being a perfusionist would initially be exciting, but it would get really boring after a year or two and you would be left with no really options to change.

Just my 2 cents.

Annie

While I do agree that PA and NP is definitely more flexible in the sense of being able to switch specialties at will, I dont think that doing perfusion would be boring. Its definitely a growing field especially with further advances in ECMO as we are seeing it in all age ranges. When I looked into it, it doesnt seem like there is an overwhelming amount of programs in the United States, so it seems like a pretty secure job and many hospitals dont do off-pump bypass. I think that from a quality of life standpoint, perfusion seems like a nice role. They are compensated well (comparable to PA or NP) without the stress of managing multiple patients. I am by no means suggesting there jobs aren't stressful, but Id imagine its a different stress. Additionally, if you can get behind the OR hours it seems like a nice regular schedule.

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.
While I do agree that PA and NP is definitely more flexible in the sense of being able to switch specialties at will, I dont think that doing perfusion would be boring. Its definitely a growing field especially with further advances in ECMO as we are seeing it in all age ranges. When I looked into it, it doesnt seem like there is an overwhelming amount of programs in the United States, so it seems like a pretty secure job and many hospitals dont do off-pump bypass. I think that from a quality of life standpoint, perfusion seems like a nice role. They are compensated well (comparable to PA or NP) without the stress of managing multiple patients. I am by no means suggesting there jobs aren't stressful, but Id imagine its a different stress. Additionally, if you can get behind the OR hours it seems like a nice regular schedule.

So you think that doing that job for say ten years wouldn't get "old"? I disagree, especially after reading some of the CRNA boards!

Annie

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Perfusion is a pretty nice gig. Good jobs are word of mouth though. Never met an unhappy perfusionist.

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Yes I agree with you Xlorgguss. Perfusionist profession is a very new profession globally and it's a job that is not just confined to the operating theatres! I feel that the job is quite varied in patients and across the hospital settings such as ICU, CCU, respiratory and of course in paediatrics.

I'm actually looking forward to applying and hopefully getting accepted into one of the schools í ½í¸Š

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Hi Annie,

I really think any job has the potentiality to get old.

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