Few nursing specialties intersect the newest technology with direct patient care as closely as interventional radiology. These nurses guide catheters through arteries to ablate tumors without scalpels, completing minimally invasive procedures as part of their every day.
From the intricacies of interventional procedures to the adaptability required for travel nursing, we’ll highlight the invaluable role interventional radiology nurses play in enhancing patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.
Read on to explore their specific skills, the diverse environments they navigate, and the unique rewards and challenges of an interventional radiology travel nurse.
Table of Contents
- What Is an Interventional Radiology Travel Nurse?
- What Are the Duties of a Travel Interventional Radiology Nurse?
- How Much Do Interventional Radiology Travel Nurses Make?
- Becoming an Interventional Radiology Travel Nurse
- Where Do Interventional Radiology Travel Nurses Work?
- Are Interventional Radiology Travel Nurses in Demand?
- Benefits and Challenges of Being an Interventional Radiology Travel Nurse
- Find Your Ideal Assignment as an Interventional Radiology Travel Nurse With Trusted Nurse Staffing and Pronto
What Is an Interventional Radiology Travel Nurse?
Interventional radiology, or IR, is a type of medical specialty that encompasses a number of minimally invasive procedures that are performed with the help of medical imaging guidance, including:
- X-rays
- MRIs
- Ultrasounds
The procedures could be used for the purpose of a biopsy, diagnosis, or treatment.
An interventional radiology travel nurse is a specialized RN who assists the physician in these procedures. The nurse is responsible for patient care during the entire process, including:
- The initial assessment
- The plan of care
- Administering medication
- Checking for lab results
- Reviewing the patient’s medical history
What Are the Duties of a Travel Interventional Radiology Nurse?
During the course of a day, an interventional radiology travel nurse may assist with a variety of tasks involved with patient care pre-procedure, during the procedure, and post-procedure.
Pre-procedural care tasks may include:
- Patient assessment and prep
- Obtaining informed consent
- Preparing the interventional radiology suite with sterile equipment and medications
- Assisting with anesthesia
During the procedure, a nurse may assist with:
- Scrubbing and draping
- Instrument and supply management
- Maintaining a sterile field
- Monitoring patient vital signs
- Maintaining patient comfort and safety
Once the procedure has finished, post-procedural care might include:
- Monitoring patient recovery
- Providing pain management as needed
- Educating the patient on post-procedure care instructions and potential side effects
- Documentation and communication of the procedure to the entire relevant patient team
Procedures Interventional Radiology Travel Nurses Can Assist With
An interventional radiology travel nurse may assist with a number of different procedures depending on the facility they’re working at, including:
- Angioplasty
- Angiography
- Stent placement
- Central venous access
- Biopsy
- Embolization
- Chemo embolization
- Fibroid removal
- Fluid and abscess drainage
- Fallopian tube catheterization
- Thrombolysis
- Vena cava filters
- Ablation
- Vertebroplasty
- Kyphoplasty
- Biliary interventions
A nurse’s technical skills, adaptability, and critical thinking are crucial in supporting these minimally invasive interventions and contributing to optimal patient outcomes.
The specific procedures interventional radiology nurses can assist with will depend on their unique clinical experience, relevant certifications, and the protocols of their current facility.
How Much Do Interventional Radiology Travel Nurses Make?
An interventional radiology travel nurse can make between $2,600-$3,600 per week, with the average making $2,732.
ZipRecruiter cites that the average interventional radiology nurse brings in approximately $108,369 per year, or $52 an hour.
Becoming an Interventional Radiology Travel Nurse
Skills and Qualifications
We’ll get into the required education, certifications, and experience below, but to start, successful interventional radiology travel nurses should have:
- Certification as a radiologic technologist (RT)
- Familiarity with computers and IR equipment
- Excellent bedside manner
- Patient and family education
- Strong attention to detail and organizational abilities
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Compassion and outstanding patient care skills
- The ability to handle stressful situations calmly
Education
To become an interventional radiology travel nurse, you’ll need to:
- Earn your BSN from an accredited institution
- Acquire your Registered Nurse (RN) License
- Be in good standing in the state(s) where you plan to travel
While it’s not mandatory for all healthcare settings, some employers may prefer or require a Master’s in Nursing (MSN) with a focus on critical care, surgical nursing, or interventional radiology.
Certifications
Interventional radiology nurses are typically required to have the following certifications:
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Critical Care Life Support (ACLS)
- American Heart Association PALS
To further advance their careers or to boost their resume, an interventional radiology travel nurse may also complete the Certified Radiology Nurse (CRN) credential offered by the Radiologic Nursing Certification Board. 35% of the exam covers interventional radiology, so it’s a particularly relevant certification for interventional radiology travel nurses.
Experience
Employers looking to hire a new interventional radiology travel nurse may prioritize candidates with prior experience in critical care, medical-surgical nursing, or radiology.
Some required certifications mandate nurses to complete at least 2,000 hours of radiology work experience.
Specializations and Equipment
Interventional radiology travel nurses must have extensive knowledge and hands-on expertise with:
- Vascular anatomy for catheter placement
- Pharmacology of contrast agents and procedural medications
- Radiation safety protocols
- Operating and troubleshooting C-arms, power injectors, angiography systems
- Using sterile techniques to prep procedure rooms and equipment
- Identifying a wide range of catheters, guidewires, coils, stents, balloons
Where Do Interventional Radiology Travel Nurses Work?
An interventional radiology travel nurse can choose to work at a variety of healthcare facilities, including:
- Traditional hospital settings, including teaching, community, and rural
- Diagnostic imaging facilities
- Mobile units
- Ambulatory surgery centers
- Research institutions
- Outpatient clinics, including imaging centers, cancer centers, and pain management clinics
Are Interventional Radiology Travel Nurses in Demand?
Interventional radiology nurses fall into the categories of registered nurses or nurse practitioners, according to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which projects a 6% job growth rate for RNs and a 38% job growth rate for NPs from 2022 to 2032.
Comparatively, the national average growth rate for all occupations is a mere 5%, much lower than both RNs and NPs.
Because of this projected growth, it’s reasonable to say that interventional radiology nurses are in demand and are likely to experience strong job stability and their pick of several career opportunities.
Top Locations Where Interventional Radiology Travel Nurses Are Needed
Because interventional radiology nurses are in such high demand, those looking to begin their travel careers will likely have their pick of contract locations and healthcare settings to work in.
Top locations with openings for interventional radiology travel nurses include:
- Lexington, KY
- San Francisco, CA
- Sitka, AK
- Los Angeles, CA
- Washington, DC
- Jackson, TN
- Indianapolis, IN
- Oakland, CA
- Anchorage, AK
- Aurora, CO
- Atlanta, GA
- Boston, MA
- Clearwater, FL
- Kansas City, MO
- Chicago, IL
- Seattle, WA
- Philadelphia, PA
The Pronto job search, powered by Trusted Nurse Staffing, is a solution for current interventional radiology nurses who are searching for travel assignments that match their lifestyles.
Designed to enable new and experienced travel nurses nationwide to take control of their careers, acquire the work-life balance they’ve been searching for, and find the road to their dream jobs, Pronto finds you the available assignment opportunities in the area — all at the touch of your fingertips.
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Benefits and Challenges of Being an Interventional Radiology Travel Nurse
Benefits
On top of all the benefits of traveling, interventional radiology travel nurses also benefit from:
- Skill enhancement due to the exposure to new equipment, techniques, and procedures in different healthcare settings. This allows for constant learning and skill development beyond what’s possible in a single workplace.
- More competitive pay, since travel nurses typically receive higher compensation compared to staff interventional radiology nurses. This increase in pay is often compounded with additional stipends for housing, travel, and other expenses.
- Expanded scope of practice and value thanks to work with angiograms, stent placements, embolizations, thrombectomies, and other procedures.
Challenges
As with any new career element, traveling as an interventional radiology travel nurse is not without its potential challenges. These may include:
- The risk of nurse burnout: Results from a 2020 survey indicate that almost two-thirds of nurses (62%) experience burnout. It’s especially common among younger nurses, with 69% of nurses under 25 reporting burnout, according to the American Nursing Association.
- A variable work schedule: Work hours, shifts, and holiday schedules may impact your work-life balance and ability to commit to personal plans, depending on the setting you choose to work in.
- Constant adjustment to new environments: In general, travel nursing requires adaptation to new settings, healthcare systems, and team dynamics. Those new to traveling may have a tough time adapting at such a frequent pace.
Find Your Ideal Assignment as an Interventional Radiology Travel Nurse With Trusted Nurse Staffing and Pronto
Part of the beauty of being an interventional radiology travel nurse lies in the variety of environments you can explore. Trusted Nurse Staffing offers contracts for all shifts all across the United States.
If you love your career as an interventional radiology nurse and want to take it on the road, let us help you pursue your passions by continuing your professional advancement as a travel nurse.
At Trusted Nurse Staffing, our recruiters and staff are here to help you meet your needs.
Find the currently available interventional radiology travel nurse contracts on Pronto, and contact our recruiters when you think you’ve found your match!
