Cath Lab RN Salary

[gjtcvlab]

Hello there!

I am currently contemplating whether or not I should ask for a raise in the cardiac cath lab. I had been a nurse for approximately two years (step-down) when I transitioned to the cath lab. I was told by the manager that she tries to pay her employees well but was denied the ability to offer a higher pay by HR since it is technically a lateral move. However, now that I have been in the lab for over a year... I believe it's warranted to get a decent pay raise (more than the mediocre merit raises they give out, despite exceptional review). I think it's even more so warranted because I think I was under-compensated, even before coming to the cath lab. I was curious as to what the average cath lab RN pay was (specifically for the midwest area) with 1-2 year experience. I have attempted to find statistics but only netted those from an '12 Cath Lab Digest article. I truly do believe I have earned a pay raise but do not want to go into my manager's office and be laughed off. Help?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Many facilities do not consider higher pay for various specialties. As long as the merit raise you received was commensurate with the merit raises throughout the facility in regards to the evaluation score, you may not have a leg to stand on when asking for more. My facility, until this year, set merit raises for the entire facility based on the score received on the evaluation. It didn't matter the specialty, extra miles gone, or anything else- all that mattered was the score. I highly doubt that HR would approve a raise at this point- the time for negotiating salary would have been prior to acceptance of the position. However, perhaps for future raises you could advocate for another system for raises- my facility changed it so that each supervisor receives a set amount of money to dole out for raises, and distributes as he/she sees fit. I think this is a much better method of determining raises as it involves those who see us in our work.

[CriticalCareRN1]

Since you have experience now, have you ever been interested in Travel Nursing? I've seen Cath Lab assignments with various travel agencies. Just a thought ... Not sure if this could happen, b/c I don't know what all encompasses a job description for a Cath Lab Nurse, but you may be able to get a taste of other areas of nursing. If you don't mind, could you elaborate on your job duties as a nurse in the Cath Lab? I'll be working as a new nurse in Feb 2015.