Lori Ann

To my fellow IR nurses! I work in a 315 bed hospital with 2 well trained IR doctors. (Only 1 IR doctor scheduled per day.) Our procedures performed at present are paras, thoras, biopsies, abscess drains, joint injections, blood patches, rhizotomies, vascular studies and interventions, and soon to start tumor ablations. My question is: How many outpatient procedures do other departments of our size and ability schedule per day? At present, our inpatient volume is at low levels, but experience tells me that's partially due to the summer months. Thoughts appreciated!

When patients have contrast allergies, our Radiologists prefer oral preps. It is a 13 hour prep. We have standing orders for inpatients. How do other hospitals prep their outpatients? At present, our outpatients come in the day before, and our CT techs hand out the prep (which is ordered by our MD Director). We need to find a better solution, since techs really are not allowed to dispense medications. We have 2 FT RNs and 1 PT. RN hours are 0630 to 1500. Any suggestions?

We call the hospital code team. I worked ER before Radiology. I handle the code until the code team gets there. Then I just do what's needed. That's our hospital policy.

Thanks for the interest! From what I've learned, every radiology nurse has a different "typical day"! First of all, we have an unpredictable schedule. When I left for today, there was 3 patients on for tommorrow. When I go in in the morning, there will be more. Some cancelled, some changed from one modality to another. Since I am the full time nurse, it's my job to keep the interventional doctor and nurses moving...with alot of help from the techs, of course! The scheduled patients are usually myelograms, angios (anywhere but heart), CT biopsies, US biopsies, thoracentesis, paracentesis, drains, AV shunt declotting, and stuff like that. We also service nuclear medicine which is not included on our schedule. We start IV's for hidas and administer sincalide, do IV's for mugas, and provide IVs and meds for renal scans. Also throught the day, CT calls us for 'difficult sticks'. Combine this with all the little extras like sitting with floor patients that require a nurse, and helping the radiologist understand ACLS, it makes for a hetic day! Today was a good day (I got a 20 min uninterupted lunch!). The job would be perfect if there were just more hours in a day (without OT!!). The schedule is great for my family. Since I'm also a tech, I guess this is my home. Thanks for asking! Lori

Good topic!!!!!!! Our department does all angio except heart. We also do nephro tubes, AV shunts and stents. Recently, we got a new CT scanner that can fluoro. Since there are only 2 of us, my badge readings went thru the roof when the other girl took a vacation!! We usually hit ALARA I over 3 months, but I hit it in 1 month!!! I always use time, distance and shielding, but with sedation, one can only go so far. I think Rad RN's need better shielding AND hazzard pay!!!! When I voiced my concerns I was told "Well, you better make sure you use your thyroid shield"!!!!!!!

I was a RT for 7 years. The last 2, I went back to school for my RN. Now, I'm a rad RN. The radiology background has been very helpful, even when I started in the ER. However, you don't need recertified to remember the basics. I wouldn't waste my time. Good luck!!!