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.

The ACC guidelines are perfect for NSTEMIs and unstable angina. Typically if trop is negative, no active chest pain, no EKG changes patient would undergo a stress test (most likely nuclear) - if this was positive, next step cath lab. However if chest pain persistent or EKG changes or positive trop - straight to cath lab (at least that is how we do it at my facility). STEMIs of course go straight to cath lab.

Anyone else in the Emergency Dual NP role? I was accepted and am looking forward to starting soon! Got my JAG number and FAFSA done, but I have outside resources so I guess they don't even let you do loans? Also I read we can just do the webinar? I'm not doing the condensed program, and I have a BSN so it's my understanding I don't have to have a campus visit for orientation? This is by far the most confusing least communicative school I have ever dealt with.

I just was accepted into the Fall 2014 cohort for the Emergency NP dual role. Can anyone provide feedback on the program? I currently work in the cardiac cath lab and take quite a bit of call so I am nervous how this will impact my schooling. I cut back on my ER shifts, but can't cut back cath lab as of yet. Are you able to do clinicals with physicians, or is it solely NPs? I have several physicians who are set up to preceptor me if I am able to do clinicals with them. Thanks in advance.

I am currently enrolled in the BSN to MSN educator degree. Some of the classes are fluff, but for the most part, pretty rigorous depending on the professor you have.

Hey all, I am currently enrolled in a MSN educator online program. I live in a rural area, where the closest program is over 200 miles away - if I wanted to do the regular classroom work. I am debating switching my focus and just go with the BSN to DNP track, and have found one program through University of S.Alabama with an acute care DNP with cardiology focus. Does anyone know of any other options? I do want the cardiology focus, and I am not sure the clinical nurse specialist will be helpful, or if that is phasing out now. Thanks in advance.

LOL, I had a similar thing happen with a 93yo lady, said the massaging by the nice man in her room was well appreciated...of course she too had SCD's on

I have to agree with the other 2 posters about CCL. We definitely do not stand in one spot. Our cath lab is smaller, with one cardiologist, the xray tech scrubs, RN circulates and other RN monitors. When a diagnostic turns to an intervention, the 2nd RN comes out and helps out with drips, etc. You have to be able to anticipate what the physician will want next, while mixing drugs, getting supplies and keeping your patient sedated and stable (and that is on an easy day). Definitely not for the new nurse.

I have been a cath lab nurse since January. Prior to that, my experience was in ER. You need to know moderate sedation and how to rescue someone. I believe it will take more than 6 months to train, as I am just now feeling comfortable circulating alone during regular diagnostic procedures (this does not include interventional and stent placement). Last week we had a STEMI come in, and as an ER nurse, when someone goes into vtach, my immediate thought is start CPR - well this is not really what the MD will want you to do when he has a wire in the ventricle. Critical thinking skills are a must, and you should ideally have some sort of critical care experience and foundation to build on. I believe you could be successful with the right team, right manager, and right attitude. Don't expect to pick up on things right away, and make sure there is a training program in place. Good luck!