RN job after graduation

[gman2129]

Hi. I graduate in less than 12 months. Just to give a little background on myself, I was a paramedic for 18 years. 10 on a rig and 8 on a helicopter. I was an instructor in ACLS, BTLS, PALS, and NRP. I would really like to work in the Cardiac Cath lab or Interventional Radiology. I know that I need some RN experience but where should I start? I currently work in the GE lab now. Thoughts?

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Cardiac ICU experience would help

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

Agree with the above, CCU experience would most definitely help. Also remember that a fair number of patients coming out of cath lab will be coming to you post procedure so it would be optimal to make good impressions and work relationships with people in the cath lab, which may come in handy when you are ready for a move.

[ArikPRN]

I'm a cardiovascular technologist(over 13 years of experience) and I am actually starting as a Cardiac Cath Lab RN in one of the most prestigious Cath Labs in Southern California. Biggest reason aside from having experience in the Cath lab is working for the military as a Navy CVT in which we gave the Meds and acted as the nurse. I believe nursing, and the hiring process should be more open-minded. There's a huge need for Cath Lab nurses everywhere. It's time to think outside the box.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I'm a cardiovascular technologist(over 13 years of experience) and I am actually starting as a Cardiac Cath Lab RN in one of the most prestigious Cath Labs in Southern California. Biggest reason aside from having experience in the Cath lab is working for the military as a Navy CVT in which we gave the Meds and acted as the nurse. I believe nursing, and the hiring process should be more open-minded. There's a huge need for Cath Lab nurses everywhere. It's time to think outside the box.

Are you advocating hiring techs to fill nursing jobs? That may be possible in military installations, but scopes of practice are established by state licensure legislation. If a job requires an RN license, it must be filled by an RN. The "box" was created to ensure patient safety and quality.

Apologies if I've misinterpreted your comment.

[ArikPRN]

Oh I am an RN, and I completely agree with what you said. I was simply saying that there are certain positions in the hospital that we, as nurses, should look at the overall experience of the candidate instead of excluding such experience. My experience in the Cath Lab is very valuable (on top of being in the military since we gave meds, etc.) and if we look at resumes and certain specialties in a very myopic view (like what has happened to me), it will only take longer to fill such need.