Tele to cath lab

[guest1141343]

Hi all,

I’ve been on a surgical/oncology/telemetry unit for a little over a year and a half. Since I started I knew this wasn’t what I wanted to do my whole nursing career. I recently started looking at jobs and applied to the cath lab. I love cardiac but took my job to get my foot in the door at the hospital. I am shadowing in the cath lab soon but wanted to know your thoughts on someone with no cardiac background moving to the cath lab.

Thanks in advance!

[RVTtoRN0227, BSN]

Hi! I'm a Newer nurse (a little less than a year of experience) who currently works in the Cath Lab and I LOVE IT. It's definitely a different type of beast. It can go from 0-100 in a matter of seconds.

In regards to your statement of "someone with no cardiac background moving to the Cath Lab" It's imperative that you're confident with your cardiac pathopysio, cardiac drugs/IV drips and titration etc. because you're literally doing hearts all day ...OK I liked, actually not always...we do carotids, renal angiograms, EP etc. But the point is- it's mostly heart. You mentioned that you have Telemetry experience so that should help. Really important to know your rhythms and what to do.

In the Cath Lab you're always doing something...always ANTICIPATING. Whether it's anticipating your Dr's next move and grabbing the supplies for it...OR anticipating your patient's needs (administering conscious sedation, anticoags, nose itch (LOL , really)....the point is, you're constantly on the move. Always communicating with your Dr and the rest of the team.

Don't listen to other forum threads of how you need a million years of experience in order to qualify for a Cath Lab position. I'm a new grad and I'm thriving in the dept that I love because I have a GREAT team, I care about my patients and I'm invested in providing efficient and safe care for them. It aint easy, but it sure as hell aint impossible...

I hope this helps. It really is a great dept to work at...PLUS the reps from the companies that supplies our balloons/stents etc always buys us lunch LOL OH yeah before I forget- the on call $ is great as well ?
Schedule is good MON-FRI 7am-4pm rotating on calls every other weekend and 2x overnight during the week after hours....Holidays are off unless you're on call...