MusicGuy replied to NewCathLabNurse's topic in Cardiac
It helps to have ICU experience and comfort with critically ill (AKA SAS-sick as snot) patients. You will have to learn ED nursing during STEMIs and provide care to ICU patients when they come down...
There's not many EP RN's! Mostly because there are few educational programs available, and most of us learn on the job which takes years. I've been in EP almost 3 years. I like it enough to stay. I...
MusicGuy replied to CardiacRNLA's topic in Cardiac
I work in the CL as well, most of our staff is cross trained. So, that aspect will be easier for you. I didn't have any CL experience when I was hired, and had to learn it in addition to EP. You need...
MusicGuy replied to CardiacRNLA's topic in Cardiac
They want ICU/CCU experience so you have a good foundation of everything cardiac. Drips, 12 leads, anatomy, ect. in addition to good nursing skills. Some of our patients come from the ICU and you are...
I would caution against nights unless you're seriously OK with being up all night. I started on nights and found that not too many happy people were around to answer questions, but your situation may...
MusicGuy replied to momathoner09's topic in Cardiac
Congrats on the new job! I recommend becoming familiar with the process. Your patients might come back with an arterial sheath still in the groin. The art of pulling is fairly straight forward. Hold...
Yes, understanding is the key word. I'm week 5 in an EP lab and it's a big learning curve to simply read intracardiac ekgs, let alone interpret the pathways and jumps. Most RN's are unaware that there...
MusicGuy replied to TigerGalLE's topic in MICU, SICU
I was thinking the same thing! And little jealous too. I wish I had had a more involved preceptor during my orientation. I'm surprised most managers don't see this as a crucial
MusicGuy replied to michigan94's topic in Critical Care
This was my path and I'm glad I did it. I started as a unit secretary and learned what labs and orders are used on different patients and why. Then I became a CNA and learned my rhythms and how to...
As disturbing as the video is to watch, it baffles me that a security guard just stood and watched. Security officers are also mandated with protecting rights of patients in addition to rights of...
Making them happy is doing them a disservice, and I would explain it that way. A jester can make them happy, but what our patients deserve is to be happy AFTER they leave