Cath Lab position should I take it??

[JLB1215]

I recently switched hospitals and am now in a neuro ICU setting. I have 5 years MICU experience and am finding the bedside demands to be increasing from management. I made this move to be closer to home and my kids but have come to realize being in the ICU is weighing on me emotionally and the night shifts have not been good for my family at home like I thought they would. I have an opportunity to go to a Cath Lab position but not without the OK from my new current manager. Any advice on the Cath Lab and if I would like it better? Any advice as to how I should handle this? I obviously know there are demands in Cath Lab as well (critical patients, management etc.)

[dianah, ASN]

The first thing that popped in my head was: CALL. You will be on call part of the time, which means more time away from your family. You will need to pin down how often you will be on call (every third week, for a week? Every third night? Every other weekend?) and how often you can expect to be called in. Some labs are VERY busy after hours, with STEMIs and transfers.

That said, I worked full-time and covered call most of the time my kids were growing up, and we survived. Dh had to pick them up and they had pizza for dinner sometimes. So far they are OK adults. ? And dh and I are still together.

Might be good for you to observe in the Cath Lab, and pick the brains of those who work there. MOST important, too, is having a supportive NM and a team that works together.

Hopefully others can think of more things to consider, too. Good luck making your decision!

[Wolf at the Door, BSN]

Did you jump to cath lab?