traumarn1

I started in the cvicu as a new grad 13+ years ago. Thick skin and an ability to let the "little things" roll off your back is also helpful. It was my time on that unit that afforded me the ability to work in a level 1 trauma center ER as well as become a flight nurse. I am a strong believer that a new grad can and will learn anything in the right environment. Find those most willing to share their knowledge and use them...... they are indispensible. Do your best to ignore the nay-sayers. I can not stress the importance of asking a question if you don't know the answer or are unsure of what to do......you will earn far more respect by asking than playing as if you know. Good luck....it is a great experience.

There is also a device out there called the syvek patch, similar in size and shape to an alcohol prep. It is placed over the punture site with manual pressure held for 6-10 minutes. The patch itself is made from some type of seaweed derivative and escalates the clotting cascade by positive/negative ion charges. (It's positive the blood is Negative and it attracts blood towards it and in turn the clotting cascade is escalated.) It can be used with ACT's up to 220 and is a pretty slick little device. Low incidence of poor outcome because nothing is ever introduced into the body. The bed rest then is addressed as a 1, 2, 3... thing. 1 hour flat, up at a 45 degree angle at 2 hours, ambulate and home in 3 hours. We have been using this for about 18 months on both clean caths and interventions and we all love it. Also the newest generation of angioseal has a suture that's clipped immediately and offers less bed rest, only for 1-2 hours.

we will usually have 2 rn's and 1 rad tech assigned to each lab, the rn's are trained to do all 3 jobs....record, circulate, and scrub. the techs can record and scrub. Once upon a time the tech's would circulate but since they can not give drugs we found it to be more trouble than it was worth. The rn's are also responsible for calling the same day admits, patient interviews, same day prep, and post procedure care prior to transfer. At this time we do not have a dedicated area for pre/post procedure caths within the lab or in the house. WE NEED ONE TERRIBLY!!!!! We are required to have rad techs even though we are digital and filmless because of the equipment)panning/ troubleshooting.