The Ten-Minute Interview with: Belinda Trollinger, RN, RCIS

My name is Belinda Trollinger, RN, RCIS. I have been an RN for 23 years. I work in the Cardiovascular Electrophysiology Lab at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. I am one of the charter members of the Emerald Coast Chapter of the SICP. I recently became the Publications Committee Chair for the Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals. Why did you choose to work in the invasive cardiovascular field? I wanted to work where I could see these wonderful procedures which generate information, open vessels, and can solve the mechanical issues in cardiovascular care. I learned there was so much more happening in the lab. I choose to work in the cath lab because I want to work with the best of the best in cardiovascular care. The team of cardiovascular professionals at my hospital is truly an example of this phrase. It is not just the excellent care provided for the patient. Every cardiovascular professional is willing to learn more, share knowledge, teach and actively encourage the members of our team. Can you describe your role? My role in the cath lab is staff nurse. I am able to work as the monitor or as the nurse for the case. I am the cath lab staff educator for my team. What is the biggest challenge you see regarding your role in the cardiovascular (CV) lab? I think there are two challenges that I face. The first challenge is to stay vigilant on behalf of our patients. The second challenge is to help obtain education in order to enhance the knowledge base of our local cardiovascular professionals. What motivates you to continue working in the CV lab? I am motivated to continue to work in the CV lab because of the feeling of reward when the invasive cardiac interventional procedure provides relief to the patient. To be present when the flow of blood is restored continues to amaze me. I know there are many things going on with the acute myocardial infarction patient, but I admit it is that pre and post picture that does it for me. What is the most bizarre case you have ever been involved with? That is difficult to answer. Years ago, when I was new to the world of the CVL and electrophysiology (EP), I thought everything was bizarre and incredible! I have worked in a situation where the surgical heart team stood by in the room (scrubbed, in their sterile attire) as the cath lab team did the PTCA (percutaneous coronary transluminal angioplasty). When the work gets stressful and you experience a low point (as we all do) what do you do to keep your morale high? I have attended cardiovascular conferences and felt recharged, excited, and returned to work motivated. To combat stress, I make time to take off and be with my family. It is scheduled down-time for me. Are you involved with SICP or other cardiovascular societies? I am one of the charter members of the Emerald Coast Chapter of the SICP. The Emerald Coast Chapter has sponsored three of the SICP's Signature RCIS Review Courses in Pensacola since June 2005. Our hospital has also sponsored an RCIS Review Course. I am a member of SICP, AORN, and the Florida Nurses Association. I believe the SICP has set clear guidelines and a clear scope of practice. It is my personal opinion that all cath lab personnel should become members of the SICP. Are there websites or texts you would recommend to other labs? I would recommend the SICP.com website, Invasive Cardiology: A Manual for Cath Lab Personnel, edited by Sandy Watson and Kenneth Gorski, The Cardiac Catheterization Handbook by Dr. Morton Kern, and of course, Cath Lab Digest. I am also a big fan of the CVOP (Cardiovascular Orientation Program) by Marsha Holton and Wes Todd (more information can be found at www. westodd.com). I think all of these tools should be available to every cath lab. Do you remember participating in your first invasive procedure? What did it feel like? I remember my first PTCI (percutaneous transluminal coronary intervention) and the first EP study (with ablation). In both procedures, I was absolutely amazed at the mechanical treatment. In the PTCI, I remember the stenosis, the chest pain, the ST changes…afterward, the chest pain was resolved and the ST segments returned to normal. It was amazing. I still remember my first atrial flutter ablation. It was awesome! If you could send a message back to yourself at the beginning of your CV career, what advice would you give? I would tell myself that I became a part of the cardiovascular team when I worked the first day in the lab. I would tell myself to join SICP and read Cath Lab Digest. I think becoming a cardiovascular professional (emphasis on professional) is essential to your role in the cath lab. Where do you hope to be in your career when it is time to retire? I hope to continue growing as a cardiovascular professional and to keep sharing my knowledge with other cardiovascular professionals. I hope this will always be a part of my work whether I remain in education or in management. Has anyone in particular been helpful to you in your growth as a cardiovascular professional? I started in the cath/EP labs in 1998. The staff and the physicians have encouraged my growth. At Baptist Hospital, the staff is fully committed to excellent training. Debi Ghesquiere, Carmen Williams and Donna Cain really knew how to teach a nurse and train a colleague. The Department Head, Cathy Carpenter Piper, would send an encouraging note to her staff's home mail. These people gave me an excellent start in my career in the CVL/EP labs. Debi Ghesquiere is an individual who can grow and develop the cardiovascular team member. Donna Cummings has demonstrated what the role of an educator can be in the CVL/EP and how to accept the educational resources offered by vendors. I also had a chance to attend the Concepts in Contemporary Cardiovascular Medicine (CCC) in Houston, Texas, where I met Tracey Simpson, Lynne Jones, and Pat Thomas. I went to ASOCC (Annual Symposium on Cardiovascular Care) in Las Vegas, Nevada, where I met Marsha Holton. These women told me to call them anytime and then returned my call. I was so amazed at these cardiovascular professionals with full-time jobs who took the time to help my growth as a professional. My growth as an individual team member of the cath lab continues with my co-workers. My growth in my local cardiovascular area would not be possible without Mark and Angie Bowles, and Cindy Yelverton, and the entire Emerald Coast Chapter of the SICP. My growth in the cardiovascular community of the SICP is influenced by the other SICP board members. I am so grateful for the encouragement, motivation, and education given to me by Lynne, Tracey, and Marsha. I feel like a plant in a community garden and have reaped the benefit of being watered by all. Where do you think the invasive cardiovascular field is headed? I believe we will become even more specialized as new technology continues to reach across all interventional cardiovascular labs. It is so important for the cardiovascular team to be focused on the acute care of the cardiac patient while being aware of all the equipment and devices available. There are always newer devices, new studies, a new drug or different drug combinations. As a result, I think the cardiovascular field will demand a highly educated, multi-disciplinary cardiovascular team. Do you know a professional who deserves to be featured in Cath Lab Digest? Email Rebecca Kapur at: rkapur (at) hmpcommunications. com

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