Cath RN vs EP RN

[Pinkey1202]

I interviewed recently and to my surprise was given the opportunity to actually choose where I'd like to work! I can either do Cath lab or EP. I have never worked for either so I don't know which way to go. They both have pros and cons so I'd like to hear from you guys and your experiences.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

At our hospital, EP lab nurses don't take call, but cath lab nurses do. If you are called in at 1 am and are scheduled to come in at 7, you will have to come back. Some nurses love cath lab so much that they don't mind call, but you should ask about that before making your decision.

[Pinkey1202]

It's the same at the hospital I interviewed with but I'm not sure how they do call. I've never worked in a position where call was required.

[BlkDog]

I work in ep. I came from ICU. We don't take call, but we end up staying past our shifts about 30% of the time. Ep is interesting to a point. I find devices interesting, but ablations are boring! I miss the ICU. I hear cath lab can be more exciting, but they have to take call. We have to wear lead a lot of times and sometimes are in a room for 4-7 hours at a time! If you need a drink of water, BAthroom break you need someone to cover you. Also, lots of conscious sedation, which I'm not a huge fan of. I feel like the physicians often want the patients "deeper" than I feel comfortable with. Sure, no nights and weekends, but to me that is not everything! Still work per diem in ICU and love the autonomy of taking care of my own pt... and being able to drink water and pee! Good luck! If you can't decide shadow someone!!

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

EP is sooooooo boring. At least where I did it. I got to do nothing but run iStat and that was the extent of my involvement in most cases. Cath lab was where the fun was at and the interesting cases. Loved Cath lab. If I ever had the chance to just do caths and never do EP, I would snag up the Cath spot any day