Cardiac cath? Should I be afraid?

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Specializes in Neurology- briefly, Oncology/Hematology.

So, many places are hiring RN for cardiac cath lab in my area and are also offering large sign on bonuses. Is there a reason these positions are so available? Is it a miserable place to work? Do they ever do nights? Or is it typically M-F? Any patient interaction? Any advice would help!

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Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.

Usually they are M-F plus call. Most cath labs you need to be within 30 minutes of the hospital in case you get called in for an MI. That might be why they are having a tough time filling the positions right there.

Of course there is patient contact...who do you think they do the cardiac caths on? :lol2:

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

our cath lab takes about 7 call shifts a month. It's always hit or miss and certain docs guarentee getting called in. They work very hard to clear all the days cases to go home at a decent time. I think because of the nature of all the call hours, it deters people.

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Our cath lab also requires monitoring experience. Some require critical care experience. The drawback for me has always been the call-back time.

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Specializes in ICU.
The drawback for me has always been the call-back time.

Sorry! I might be ignorant but what is a call-back time?

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Most cath labs require staff to take call, besides working their regular tour of duty.

That means you will be paid to carry the pager after you leave work and if an urgent case comes in, you are paged and go in to do the case (for overtime pay, usually).

Could be 1 a.m.

Could be 4 a.m.

Evenings and weekend coverage are split between the staff members (we used to cover a week at a time).

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Specializes in ICU.

Thank you for taking the time to explain this to me. I appreciate it :)

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