GinRN777

Cath lab RN here and future AGACNP. My suggestion is to check out the AACN website (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses)- they provide a handbook on scope and standards including that of nurse practitioners. An AGACNP can insert central venous catheters and arterial lines but cannot perform coronary angiograms.

My suggestion is to go observe and then go during a STEMI. It's quite different.

I am a cath lab RN and I do a lot of the device checks in our hospital when a patient comes in. Since we are rural and reps have to come out from a long way they were more than happy to train me - I have had extensive training on it, but not enough where I am comfortable changing settings unless I have the Biotronik/Medtronic, etc rep on the phone walking me through it after I have gone over the situation with them. If you want to take some classes and move over to devices I would suggest getting in contact with your local device reps. The cath/EP labs should have their info.

I'm not sure if there is a part time track but would love that idea!! Oh well. I have 6 years of ER experience, although this last 1 1/2 years was mostly cardiac cath lab. You'll do fine

I too was wondering the same thing and was going to pose a similar question. The cath lab I work at only has 1 lab. Small hospital. We have 2 RNs, 1 rad tech & 1 RCIS. Currently we have 2 cardiologists and we are on call Sun-Thurs, maybe 1-2 weekends a month (which puts us into 11 days straight on call.) We (the RNs) are also responsible for stress testing, and to help with any imaging needs (IVs, etc) - as well as float into ER and ICU to help. We typically work 0700-1530. Required to be at the hospital within 20 mins of getting paged. But - we also have the best DTB time in WA state

Hahaha Oh fun!! There is always one like that. I received an email with my JAG number and info for financial aid but haven't received a letter in the mail yet. What does the condensed schedule look like? So tempting to try to push through, I did an accelerated BSN back in 2006, but of course I wasn't working then.

In addition to PALS, ACLS - obtain your TNCC and CEN certs. It will certainly make you more marketable. I am not sure however, if you have to have ED experience. I know for CCRN you have to have ICU experience, but not sure the same rule applies for CEN. There are acute care nurses in my hospital that have their TNCC in hopes of getting into the ED, so I am pretty sure you don't need ED experience for that. Good luck!

They are supposed to be sending the letter with info out by the end of this month, and we are able to register beginning Aug 1. I'm ready to start too - and be done!

Urtania, do you know if we are allowed to complete clinicals with family members? My husband is a FP/OB doc and also does ER. I know its a conflict of interest, but he is really the best OB doc to learn from in my area!!!

I have both TNCC and CEN. I did not study for TNCC and passed. For my CEN I took a review course over 2 days, and the 3rd day took the test. I have to say the test was harder than boards, but I passed. I also did some questions out of ENA's review book prior to the class. Study, study, study.

I seriously think this is the best comment I have read so far, and will have to use this on my non compliant cath lab patients!!! Cheeseburger guy!!

Watch the experienced nurses. Realize that the more you know, the less you know. Jump into every opportunity to start that IV, insert that NG tube, and trust your instincts. I can't tell you how many times I had that "gut feeling" - epiglottis in an 18 yr old- yes it happens and no she wasn't drooling!!! Congrats on making it into the ER - I love every minute.

WGU. Plus you can get credit for knowledge. I wish I had known about it when I got my BSN.

OK I started a fb group here USA Fall 2014 Dual Emergency/Acute NP class for lack of a more creative name. Anyone else have feedback on the dual degree? Are we allowed to do clinicals with physicians or just NPs?

OK I started a fb group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277286249122605/ It is under USA Fall 2014 Dual Emergency/Acute NP class for lack of a more creative name. Looking forward to meeting you all and sharing in this journey. I am anxious to get started!! I live in Walla Walla, WA if anyone else is near that area.