scrubsDNPcNP

Hi. IR NP here. Like Dodongo, I was a nurse in IR before and during NP school, which is what helped me introduce NPs to my group. We hired a 2nd NP several years later. Initially, we were doing OP and IP pre/post consults and follow-up. Now we are doing minor procedures and ramping-up to do more. The extent of what APPs do in IR are varied, and procedures that you could be credentialed for are institution-dependent. I don't know where you are located but it seems East Coast institutions are more ahead when it comes to the complexities of procedures done. In any case, you are on the right path with your AGACNP and ICU experience. See if your school can arrange a clinical rotation for you in IR (my school was able to do this for me). Build on your IR experience and pair-up with IR APPs in your institution. If they don't have one, pave the way. It can certainly happen. The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) has a branch for Clinical Associates (non-MDs). You might find some info there.

Hi. Can someone tell me what the draw is for RNs to consider a complete switch in career to become a rad tech?

Absolutely! Go ahead and apply. I was in a hiring position for many years. Acute care/Cardiac experience is always a plus. ICU experience is great depending on how it's used. However, in my experience, not all ICU RNs make the best procedural nurses.