Radiation Exposure

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Hello,

I have been a RN for several years, and have always thought of going the CRNA direction. I was wondering what the radiation exposure is for CRNA's, and if there are areas or specialties that have lower levels of radiation exposure?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

It may vary by facility. All CRNAs in my facility take turns working in cath lab, endo (fluro used for ERCPs and some bronchs), interventional radiology, EP, CT, MRI, ortho, neuro, wherever else imaging is used. However, there are safety regulations in place that will maintain your personal safety if followed: using a full lead covering including thyroid shield, wearing your provided dosimeter, etc. Facilities take radiation safety seriously- we've had a few people informed that because they hit a certain level of exposure on their dosimeter badge, they were to be kept out of imaging cases for a certain time. I've never personally been flagged despite working a lot of fracture management with active fluro and now working cases in conjunction with cath lab where we use a heck of a lot of imaging.

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Your radiation dosage is very very very minuscule if you wear your lead apron and collar. Like the first poster said, it's heavily regulated and monitored. If rad techs can do it for a career and still be in the safe zone, you have nothing to worry about.

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

Just be prepared to spend 8 continuous hours in a lead apron. I did a lot of pain management. Cases were spinningly fast. I always left work an inch shorter than when I arrived:)

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