IslandSUP

CSC for me was scenario based and like another day at work. CCRN was harder. I didn't get paid for it, just wanted the challenge.

At my hospital we can run 3 rooms at a time. This can mean different things: 2 hearts and a tavr room. 2 hearts and a robot room Or 3 heart rooms. We have 1 circulator, 1 main scrub (CST or rn scrub) and a 2nd scrub as we call it. Also there is a PA. Tavrs have 1 scrub and 1 RN, and lungs/robots only need 1 and 1 also. Nurses average 8 days on call. 1st scrubs average 15 days on call and the 2nd scrubs average 6-8. So the skill mix isn't equal among those that are the 1st scrub hence the increased call. We have done this forever and that main scrubs are tired of all the call. Would you make the others learn and take 1st scrub call? Docs want either 1 of 2 scrubs to stay home on call or have just 1 scrub and 1 circulator for cases. We also work 8 hr shifts and typically work 10+ hrs. So for that reason they want to move to 10 hr shifts.

That would me me a CVOR King? I've been a nurse for 10+ years and CVOR is the most stress free area I've worked in. Before coming to the CVOR 4 years ago I did CVICU civilian side and CCATT in the Air Force Reserves. To me that was stressful. I love how good our team can be predicting what the surgeon and scrub will want. It's all about anticipation. Main OR is stressful to me because I have no idea what happens over there and the last thing I want to do is delay patient care with my ignorance. However I think I would be able to survive most cases. Anyone want to move to Florida and work on our CVOR team?

I agree with the above post. The figures for new grads here in my area of Florida are mid 20 I think. CVOR pays more.