How do an RN and CRN differ?

How do an RN and CRN differ?

Radiology is a very broad field that involves many aspects, including the use of radiologic medical technology to diagnose, manage, and treat a variety of diseases and conditions. A radiology nurse has many responsibilities, and is involved in the assessment, care, and planning of each patient that undergoes a diagnostic procedure, an interventional procedure, and therapeutic procedure. A certified radiology nurse is often referred to as a, radiology nurse. In order to be a certified radiology nurse, they must have a very high level of expertise in the technical field and an extensive knowledge of radiologic science. Many times a nurse may be hired as an RN, and received advanced radiology training through the position held. Often radiologists rely on nurse practitioners and clinical radiologist nurses to serve as the first provider within the radiology department and the laboratory. Many radiology nurses receive their clinical training and education in these areas of radiologic science: •

Computed Tomography (CT)

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Breast Imaging

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Diagnostic X-ray

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Mammography

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Angiography

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Ultrasound

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Fluoroscopy

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Nuclear Medicine / PET

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

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Interventional Radiology

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Oncology, Radiology

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Neuroradiology

Related: CNA - What They Do? Diagnostic Radiology Radiology nurses that work in hospitals and clinics often specialize in diagnostic radiology. Diagnostic radiology can involve anything from basic x-rays to complex MRI’s that require the administration of dye contrast.

Radiology nurses that work in diagnosis generally work with a variety of patients, from pediatric to geriatric. When a patient needs radiologic tests to confirm a condition or disease, it is generally the radiologist nurse that they are treated by. The radiologist nurse works closely with the radiologists diagnostic plan while maintaining the patient's' comfort, care, and wellbeing.

Radiology nurses may focus in one or more diagnostic sub-specialization, including: •Breast Imaging - diagnostic imaging of the breast, breast diseases and breast conditions. It may include mammography, breast ultrasound, and breast MRI. •Cardiovascular Radiology -diagnostic imaging of the heart and blood vessels, including the arteries and veins. This may include x-rays, CT, MRI, and ultrasound.

•Emergency Radiology- diagnostic imaging of traumatic injuries or conditions. This may include x-rays, CT, MRI, and ultrasound.

•Chest Radiology- diagnostic imaging of the chest, including the heart and lungs. This may include x-rays, CT, ultrasound, and MRI. •Gastrointestinal Radiology- diagnostic imaging of the stomach, the intestines and the abdomen. This may include CT, MRI, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, and x-rays.

Genitourinary Radiology- diagnostic imaging of the reproductive organs and urinary tract. This may include x-rays, CT, MRI, and ultrasound.

•Head and Neck Radiology- diagnostic imaging of the head and neck in the event of spinal injury or suspected tumors. This may include x-rays, CT, MRI, and ultrasound.

•Musculoskeletal Radiology- diagnostic imaging of the muscles and the skeleton. This may include x-rays, MRI, CT, and ultrasound.

•Neuroradiology- diagnostic imaging of the brain, head, neck, and spine.

This may include x-rays, CT, MRI, and ultrasound.

•Nuclear Radiology- diagnostic imaging using miniscule amounts of radioactive material. This may include PET, PET/CT, and gamma imaging.

Radiation Therapy (Oncology) Radiological nurses in radiation therapy often perform examinations and procedures under the guidance and supervision of a radiologist oncologist.

Radiological nurses assist the radiologist oncologist to implement a precise radiation treatment plan for the patient. A radiology nurse may provide a valuable source and support for the patient when they undergo treatments for cancer. This may involve both physical and emotional difficulties that often accompany the radiation therapy. The radiologist nurse works with the radiologist to deliver the radiation in methods that include external-beam therapy, systemic radiation, and internal radiation therapy.

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Radiology nurses may focus in one or more diagnostic sub-specialization, including: •Breast Imaging is the diagnostic imaging of the breast, breast diseases and breast conditions. It may include mammography, breast ultrasound, and breast MRI. •Cardiovascular Radiology is the diagnostic imaging of the heart and blood vessels, including the arteries and veins. This may include x-rays, CT, MRI, and ultrasound.

•Emergency Radiology is the diagnostic imaging of traumatic injuries or conditions. This may include x-rays, CT, MRI, and ultrasound.

•Chest Radiology is the diagnostic imaging of the chest, including the heart and lungs. This may include x-rays, CT, ultrasound, and MRI. •Gastrointestinal Radiology is the diagnostic imaging of the stomach, the intestines and the abdomen. This may include CT, MRI, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, and x-rays.

•Genitourinary Radiology is the diagnostic imaging of the reproductive organs and urinary tract. This may include x-rays, CT, MRI, and ultrasound.

•Head and Neck Radiology is the diagnostic imaging of the head and neck in the event of spinal injury or suspected tumors. This may include x-rays, CT, MRI, and ultrasound.

•Musculoskeletal Radiology is the diagnostic imaging of the muscles and the skeleton. This may include x-rays, MRI, CT, and ultrasound.

•Neuroradiology is the diagnostic imaging of the brain, head, neck, and spine. This may include x-rays, CT, MRI, and ultrasound.

•Nuclear Radiology is diagnostic imaging using miniscule amounts of radioactive material. This may include PET, PET/CT, and gamma imaging.

Radiological nurses in radiation therapy often perform examinations and procedures under the guidance and supervision of a radiologist oncologist.

Radiological nurses assist the radiologist oncologist with the implementation of a precise radiation treatment plan for the patient. The radiology nurse may also be a valuable source of care and support for the patient regarding both the physical and emotional difficulties brought on by cancer and radiation therapy. A radiation therapy nurse works with the radiologist oncologist to deliver radiation therapy through a number of delivery methods, including external-beam radiation therapy, systemic radiation therapy, and internal radiation therapy.

Interventional Radiology Interventional radiology is becoming ever increasingly popular due to the benefits and lack of side effects. The patient's recovery time is generally decreased significantly, which in turn leads to lower health care costs. The patient may avoid a hospital stay and receive treatment in an office setting or as an outpatient at a hospital. Interventional radiology is revolutionizing the healthcare industry when it comes to radiology, and the way healthcare is delivered. Interventional radiology is often relied on to treat blood vessel conditions angioplasty, stent placement, biopsy procedures, fibroid removal, abscess drainage, and fluid removal. An Interventional radiologist generally has a team of skilled professionals which include a nurse practitioner, radiologist nurse and physician assistants. The radiology nurse often oversees the Interventional radiology laboratory. They may also perform procedures outside the interventional laboratory that may include:

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Acting as the first point of contact for referrals and patients

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Attending patient consultations

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Performing initial examinations and patient assessments

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Writing pre-procedure orders

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Making recommendations to the referring physician, the patient, and patient's' family under the guidance of the Interventional radiologist

• Serving as a liaison between the patient and the nursing staff and referring physician •

Performing daily rounds and communicating patient progress to the medical staff and the radiologist

• Orchestrating patient discharge and making additional referrals for home care •

Performing follow-up visits

Education Nurses that have an interest in pursuing radiology as a specialty, earn their master's or doctoral degree in nursing as a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist. This may satisfy their education requirements if they study in part of their graduate program in the areas of radiology. Most clinics and hospitals require a nurse in this position hold a master’s degree, and may require additional specialty certifications.

Registered Nurse in Radiology Environment A registered nurse can work in a radiology department of a radiology medical practice. They can perform registered nursing responsibilities, such as drawing blood, collecting pertinent data from the patient, give injections, take vital signs, and any generally assisting the physician. Essentially a registered nurse working in a radiologist office can do every duty that they can do working in a doctor’s office or hospital setting. They cannot, however, perform some of the duties that a radiologist nurse does, such as assisting the radiologist with any form of administration of radiation therapy or drugs.

A radiologist nurse can be a critical part of a team that provides guidance and treatment to a patient that is battling cancer. The radiologist nurse is trained to work with the patient on every level and offer advice, and suggestions on medications that may help the patient through the process of their treatment. Because of the extensive training in radiation therapy, the radiology nurse has knowledge that a registered nurse does not, and is therefore considered a specialist in the field of radiology. It is not uncommon for a patient receiving radiation treatment to see the radiology nurse on a weekly schedule, and see the doctor monthly or bi-weekly. The radiology nurse acts as a strong liaison between the doctor and patient, and works on a closer level with the patient to help them through their radiation process.

Both registered nurses and radiology nurses are of great value in a doctor of radiology office, and a registered nurse can be trained to do certain procedures beyond the realm of normal registered nursing responsibilities, however, there are still a number of radiology procedures that can only be performed by a radiology nurse. There is an educational difference in an RN and a CRN, and there is a difference in the clinical knowledge of an RN and a CRN. Related: List of nursing organizations Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter