lah130

Hello! I am really intrested in trying out the cath lab. I have 4 years of cardiac/coronary ICU experience. My biggest concern is I will be bored. I do enjoy the intensity and rapid pace of the ICU. I enjoy taking care of the sickest of the sick and making a difference. The cath lab I am looking at is a level 1 trauma center with 5 labs. They do almost 80% radial approach and have a large transplant population apparently... My other concern is that when I go back to school, I will be looked down upon for working in the cath lab. I am considering acute care NP. Are there any cath lab nurses going back to school? Did they ahve difficult getting in? How did clinicals work with all the cath lab hours? I am just looking for advice from people who have been there & done that...etc before I make a big transition!

Hello! I am finally ready to go back to school and weighing FNP vs acute care NP. What are the main differences between FNP vs Acute care NP? Does FNP mean you have to work at a doctors office and does Acute care NP mean you have to work in a hospital? Do acute care NP's have more difficulty finding jobs? It seems like they would be competeing more with PA's? Does the DNP wipe out the differences? I heard that 2015 deadline was going to be pushed back because there are not enough schools.

Hello! I just got a job offer at MUSC in charleston. It would be a pay cut to move there, but I am looking for a change. I am deciding between NC and SC. I am currently in DC. The cost of living is less in NC. But you pay more to live near the ebach I guess. I keep reading articles about the average person not beign able to afford a home in Charleston due to the demand and everyone moving down there. Plus, they have among the highest electric rates in the South? Is anyone seeing that? Or is it the high insurance rates (flood/earthquake...etc). I am just concerned the pay cut is too much and can I really afford to live there comfortably with all these extra fees/rates.... that I am not used too. I would be making 27.76/hr at MUSC starting. Charleston nurses, do you loving working at MUSC and living in the area? Is it a good lifestyle?

Thanks! That helps a lot! Right not I am used to working with all the gadgets and 'toys' (IABP, CRRT, impella....). I will ask to ensure I can work with those too. I ICU is definately my comfort zone. It is a full time benefited position. I just do not hope I have difficulty getting my 36+ hours. Do you find you have difficulty getting your 3 hours? One job is in a level 1 in NC, and 1 job is in the cath lab at the beach in SC......I feel craxy for saying I am leaning towards NC!

Hello! I want to go back to school for nurse leader/management. With healthcare reform, my hospital keeps laying off RN directors. Is it not a great career anymore with job security being gone? Or is it still a great job?

Hello! I am moving and have 2 jobs offers. I have 4 years of coronary ICU experience. One is a day shift ICU float pool position. You know how float pool can be treated! The other is in the cath lab, where I would earn more money but I am afraid I will be board. I love the excitement and using my critical care skills in an ICU. Has any worked float pool or cath lab who can give me advice??? Thanks!