Working in Cath Lab

I don't work in cath lab, also currently applying. I've done quit a bit of research and your background makes you a great candidate ... again, that's from my research I've done. I've bee on a telemetry unit for 1yr3mo and currently applying to a cath lab as well. Just curious, where are you located?

I am not a RN yet but i do work close with the cath lab. I often watch procedures. I think your OR experience will help. There are typically 2 Rn's 1 RCIS and a cardiologist in the room. There is a sterile field. 1 rn admisters meds and helps out the other documents the procedure. I think after orienting you would do great.

Good luck,

Joe

I work in the Cath Lab. Typically, there's two nurses (1 monitor, 1 circulator), 1 scrub tech, and the interventional cardiologist. It's minimally invasive surgery, so you won't see any guts and glory as you would in the OR. As a circulator, you'd be pushing the drugs (there's no anesthesiologist / CRNA there to assist). If a patient crashes, you're the one who will perform ACLS. You need to know supplies and where they are. Depending on your facility, you may have to branch out to electrophysiology, interventional radiology, special procedures, etc. The monitor nurse looks at the hemodynamics and basically charts everything going on in the room. Cases can take from 30minutes to 3hours. You never really know.

Few things that I like:

1. Not having to talk to the family members.

2. "Hello my name is x. What's your name/dob/allergies/etc?" and "Okay now theres a pressure dressing on your groin (or wrist), do not do this or that."

3. Very specialized, technical, and fun (for me).

4. Seeing the same coworkers and knowing their routines.

5. Procedural setting (as opposed to bedside).

Few things I don't like:

1. Being on call

2. Heavy lead apron

3. Being on call

4. Not consistent hours (if theres no cases, we leave early. if there are a lot of cases, we stay late)

5. Being on call