devouTTT

Hello all. Just wondering about any opinions regarding this choice. I currently work at the Cath Lab and I've thoroughly enjoyed my time there for the past two years. Used to work at LTC for a year. I am starting an FNP program and I have an interview to the ICU. The issue is that I love my current job and feel very comfortable with my managers and co-workers supporting me. The docs are awesome, the hours are great. Would it be worth transitioning to ICU for the experience to learn more about nursing in order to get a broader view for FNP? Many thanks.

I work in the Cath Lab. Typically, there's two nurses (1 monitor, 1 circulator), 1 scrub tech, and the interventional cardiologist. It's minimally invasive surgery, so you won't see any guts and glory as you would in the OR. As a circulator, you'd be pushing the drugs (there's no anesthesiologist / CRNA there to assist). If a patient crashes, you're the one who will perform ACLS. You need to know supplies and where they are. Depending on your facility, you may have to branch out to electrophysiology, interventional radiology, special procedures, etc. The monitor nurse looks at the hemodynamics and basically charts everything going on in the room. Cases can take from 30minutes to 3hours. You never really know. Few things that I like: 1. Not having to talk to the family members. 2. "Hello my name is x. What's your name/dob/allergies/etc?" and "Okay now theres a pressure dressing on your groin (or wrist), do not do this or that." 3. Very specialized, technical, and fun (for me). 4. Seeing the same coworkers and knowing their routines. 5. Procedural setting (as opposed to bedside). Few things I don't like: 1. Being on call 2. Heavy lead apron 3. Being on call 4. Not consistent hours (if theres no cases, we leave early. if there are a lot of cases, we stay late) 5. Being on call