Tips on joining the Cath Lab?

[nursem1017]

Hello! I am a new nurse and have been working in the CVICU for 6 months. My dream is to one day become a cath lab nurse. I am hoping to hear tips on how to make myself stand out as an applicant for the cath lab! What helped you land your cath lab position? I'm hoping to apply once I have 1 year of ICU experience under my belt. Thanks in advance! 

[mfci]

Having worked in the CVOR, with some minor overlap with the cath lab...  I'd say learn to see in the dark, enjoy wearing lead, and practice sucking up to enormous egos...  ?  

OK - trying to be helpful - don't you meet the cath lab doctors and nurses in the CVICU ?  Let them know your interest, and ask them how to prepare.  If you get one of them that loves to teach, ask them things.  Develop a relationship.

Do they round on their patients in the CVICU?  If so, make sure you are able to give them the information they want in the way that they want it.  Show them you are part of their team.

If cath lab is like the vascular part of the cvor, then a tight working relationship is the most important part.   It's about speed, responsiveness, and the ability to predict the next move.  Communication can be subtle. They'll want you to anticipate their needs and preferably have the right catheter, etc. in hand when they ask for it.  

You may also do conscious sedation (again, not sure, but based on similar procedures in the cvor...).  That's not hard to learn - there are a few drugs they use and you just give them and watch vitals.