Question for Cath/EP lab nurses

I'll also be becoming ACLS certified. That's a plus, right?

Hi Addie~

I've been a nurse for a long time. Before I first went into cath lab, I had critical care experience, but not immediately before taking a cath lab job. I was doing home infusion care. Most places today do want 1-2 years of critical care experience before coming into the cath lab. However, if you can find a lab that is willing to train you and give you an extended orientation, they may pass on that critical care experience. I worked in another lab recently that hired a new RN grad into the lab. She was given a long orientation (1 yr) before she was 'on call' as the only RN with 2 other Xray techs. She started call at her 6 month mark. And then gradually assumed more and more independence. It just depends on the hospital, how short of help they are, and how much they are willing to put into training.

Check out the other answers on other posts related to cath labs.

I can tell you that what an RN does in the cath lab can vary lab to lab and state to state. And a nurse can be happy in one lab and not in another. I've been doing cath lab and EP lab since '91. I'm in my 3rd lab. Please feel free to email me for any questions. Me, and other nurses out there can give you loads of information and personal opinions on what's good or bad.

I love what I'm doing, but at my age the hours and call can be physically taxing.

Good luck, and hope to hear from you!

Rose:heartbeat

I did open heart icu for 17 years before going to an EP lab. our cath lab requires 2 years of critical care but, IMO with a proper orientation, I think that one can become a competent nurse in either a cath lab or ep lab.