What do you NOT like about Cath Lab????

jmgrn65, RN · Jun 24, 2005

I'm in the process of deciding whether or not to transfer to the cath lab after many years in the ER. I'm totally burned out and need a change but don't want to work in ICU or the floors. I have spoken to a nurse that works there and she had nothing but good things to say about it, but we come from different nursing background/experience. I would really like to know what the bad points of cath lab nursing are.
This cath lab is a non-interventional lab which means pts. have to be transferred out if intervention needed. Doing transfer paperwork is nothing new to me as we do it all the time in ER.
I would love to hear from you all just to have some idea before I go ahead with the change. Thanks!

I spent 2 years in the cath lab, I enjoyed the work, what I didn't like was being on call, but if yours isn't interventional. Then you wouldn't be on call. Then it would be a great experience. Julie

wata · Jun 24, 2005

I'm in the process of deciding whether or not to transfer to the cath lab after many years in the ER. I'm totally burned out and need a change but don't want to work in ICU or the floors. I have spoken to a nurse that works there and she had nothing but good things to say about it, but we come from different nursing background/experience. I would really like to know what the bad points of cath lab nursing are.
This cath lab is a non-interventional lab which means pts. have to be transferred out if intervention needed. Doing transfer paperwork is nothing new to me as we do it all the time in ER.
I would love to hear from you all just to have some idea before I go ahead with the change. Thanks!

I currently work in a cath lab in the UK. Our lab is an interventional suite, but we do have list that are angiograms only. I have worked there for 2 years now, previously I worked in a radiology lab, moving into cardiology is the best move that I could have made. Monday-Friday (NO NIGHTS/NO WEEKENDS) bliss

Dinith88 · Jun 25, 2005

I DONT work in the cath-lab...

HOWEVER, the nurses that work cath-lab in my hospital are long-term/"lifers"...meaning once there they stay there. I've a suspicion that the job is a very good one. Other than being on call they swear the LOVE it...

Editorial Team / Admin · Jun 25, 2005

Don't like: MDs who are chronically late, leaving pt lying on the hard table (everything ready!!)!

Don't like: Missing lunch to hurry a case through for someone's private agenda.

Don't like: Taking call (it can take over your life; then again, I'm a little jaded, after taking call nearly 25 years, sometimes every other week)

Like: working closely with a good team (techs, RNs and MDs)

Like: the autonomy

Like: always learning (and Cardiologists who love to teach)

Like: 1:1 pt care and hands-on (scrubbing and assisting)

wata · Jun 25, 2005

I DONT work in the cath-lab...
HOWEVER, the nurses that work cath-lab in my hospital are long-term/"lifers"...meaning once there they stay there. I've a suspicion that the job is a very good one. Other than being on call they swear the LOVE it...

I'm really fortunate, within our directorate staff have an excellant career progression. They stay within cardiology but take their career in other directions eg research, cardiac rehab etc. We also only do 3 oncalls per month so even that side of it isnt that bad. I would always recommend the lab as a job, but the job doesnt always suit the staff. Long hours on your feet in a lead apron!!!

ann h · Jun 25, 2005

Hi

I love it have been in the area for 8 years.

Now trying to move to the USA and do the same.

julesner · Jul 4, 2005

Hi Wayover;

I went directly from ER to a diagnostic (non-interventional) Cath Lab a few years ago. I lasted 6 months... I absolutely hated it! Of course, parts of the job were good, for example, working M-F, 7-3 or so, most of the cardiologists were nice enough. The reason I couldn't bring myself to get used to it, I think, is because I came there from ER. To me, it seemed like a very technical job vs one where a more global or holistic mindset is needed. ER is multifaceted...cath lab is one dimensional. The focus is one the coronaries, period. Personally, I felt far more autonomous in ER. In cath lab, everything is about having the patient prepped and on the table on time, doing the procedure, pulling the sheath, and out the pt goes to recovery or to their room.

If you love the high tech aspect of ER, learning new skills and doing them over, and over (I found it very monotonous) and working as a team with the same few people day after day, you might like it. I'm sure I'll get clobbered by the cath lab nurses here. Just trying to give you an honest opinion since you asked. Feel free to pm me if you like. Best of Luck!!!!

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 4, 2005

Nah, julesner, that IS an honest opinon! And, to be fair, every lab is different, with different dynamics. In our lab I feel we're more involved with pre-procedure assessments (labs, allergies, etc) -- the pt is SUPPOSED to be worked up and and come in ready, a package all sewn up. But we nurses are always checking too, and have found things previously overlooked that preclude the cath for that day. We're also involved in referring the pts out for their intervention or surgery, and field patient calls post-care as well. Yes, the focus during the case is getting the cath done. But, as I'm coming to see, it's a lot more than just taking the standard shots. Sometimes you have an anomalous origin that requires different caths and a little more skill on the part of the Cardiologist; sometimes the heart is more vertical, necessitating subtle angle changes in the tubes (we use bi-plane, which is a challenge when panning); sometimes there is an event (even during pacemaker generator changes!); each pt is different, each story is different, findings often are surprising (no disease for classic presentation).

What I really liked was working in Radiology, now that was fun and diversified.

And, to each his/her own! Glad you like ER, it's one place I could NOT work! :) :) :)

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Jul 4, 2005

When the cath lab at my last facility was non-interventional, they didn't have much business - most caths these day trend to the possiblity of intervention. Make sure you know that you can get your hours - hospitals tend to want to 'flex up/flex down' staff and you don't want all your hours cancelled because there's nothing on the schedule.

That lab is now interventional (because that's where the money is) and you can bet that your PTB are thinking about it in those terms.

The problem with an interventional lab is that they are now a standard of care from the ER. The goal is 90minutes (or 2 hrs depending on where you are) from door to cath. That being the case, on call these days REALLY means on call: it's no longer on call for emergencies only. On call used to be - i'll keep my pager/cell on while living my life. Now, it more than likely means - I can't plan anything because I'll likely be called in. That can take your life over. I know that's not an issue in a non-interventional lab, but it wouldn't surprise me if your hospital is looking to change that.

I don't work CCL mainly because my kids have been too young for being on call, but most of the nurses I know that work there: love it there.

~faith,

Timothy.

julesner · Jul 5, 2005

Poor Wayover having to ciphon through all of these opinions! I wonder what she chose to do...Inquiring minds want to know!

eprn · Jul 7, 2005

I worked a cath lab for a few years (and I'm now in industry). Undoubtedly the worst thing was call--both getting called in in the middle of the night as well as holding patients for hours on end in the evenings when there were no beds. Otherwise, it was certainly the best nursing job in the hospital. I left the ER for the cath lab and I can say that I loved the technical aspect of it.

I still miss those folks.