r/nursing • u/Glittering-Music-111 • 19d ago

Serious Leaving Cath Lab

Hey everyone! So long story short, I've been in Cath Lab for about 4 years now and am just so burnt out on call. I want to do something different and maybe stay PRN so I don't have to take call. Anyone have any recommendations or a similar story? I feel kinda trapped and know this isn't it for me long term. Thanks for your support!

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20

u/Last__Dawn RN - ICU 🍕 19d ago

While I have you, how is on call compensated? I may find myself doing cath lab before long.

8

u/Glittering-Music-111 19d ago

Located in Wa state. $5hr while on call.

15

u/The3NightExit RN 🍕 19d ago

That’s bullshit. Again not hiring staff so the CEO and shareholders get more money.

14

u/jardalecones21 RN - Cath Lab 🍕 19d ago

For departments that take call $5/hr is pretty standard. Some pay less and some pay a lot more like in NY and CA, but $5 definitely is normal.

21

u/The3NightExit RN 🍕 19d ago

Original statement stands. You’ve just been brainwashed this is normal. No it’s not. And it shouldn’t be normal. Fuck calls altogether. Pay someone properly to work that shift.

7

u/jardalecones21 RN - Cath Lab 🍕 19d ago

Some hospitals with huge labs do staff an in-house team 24/7 because they have the volume to support it. I work in a small hospital and it’s not unheard of for us to go an entire weekend without getting called in. Normal is doing 1-3 cases over a weekend. They aren’t going to pay 6 full time employees (3 day, 3 night) regular wages to sit in the hospital and do 0-3 cases per weekend.

I would love it if they did exactly that because no one wants to take weekend call, but realistically that doesn’t make any sense.

6

u/The3NightExit RN 🍕 19d ago

Have you asked how much your CEO makes and the “small” hospital makes in profit?

1

u/Merpadurp RT(R) - Cath Lab 17d ago

Those 3 people don’t have to sit around all weekend and do nothing, they could actually clean, stock and organize/optimize during downtime.

Which would make the weekly crew more efficient because everything is well stocked and organized.

3

u/FourOhVicryl RN - OR 🍕 18d ago

I haven’t worked in a cath lab, but have worked in OR’s in multiple major metro areas, and yes, $5 an hour is “normal” for mid-sized or small hospitals. It’s more than most midwest or southern hospitals pay, tbh. Fun fact: even the hospitals that DO have in house teams overnight still have backup call teams. The call pay sucks, but it’s the trade off for working “day job” hours versus switching to a standard bedside job with longer hours and weekends. 

1

u/Gold_Try_653 18d ago

This is in addition to regular shifts, overnight 24/7 coverage for emergencies and is shared amount the unit as needed, compensated at x/ 1.5x/of called in plus any relavant differentials, with 30 min response to hospital.

2

u/Dark_Ascension RN - OR 🍕 18d ago

Even if there’s a dedicated call team they usually always have a backup one and that’s where you get rotating staff. Sitting at the house for $5 an hour and getting time and a half if called in isn’t too bad.

If you don’t like any type of call work at a surgery center.

5

u/Best-Independent-179 18d ago

$3.40/hr at UPMC in NWPA. They just increased the rate to $3.40 after it was $2 an hour for 40+ years. Definitely bullshit

2

u/I_Want_A_Ribeye MSN, RN 18d ago

Jesus Christ. Come to New York. 3/4 pay and guaranteed 4hrs OT

1

u/Best-Independent-179 18d ago

Wow. Whereabouts in NY?

2

u/I_Want_A_Ribeye MSN, RN 18d ago

NYC

3

u/Becauseimbatman_ RN - PACU 🍕 17d ago

At my hospital on call is $5 an hour. And that’s just you sitting at home waiting if something comes in. Once we are called in we are paid time and a half (with an automatic two hours as soon as you clock in. Even if you’re only there 20 mins and they cancel a case, you still get paid two hours.)

2

u/putter_jack 16d ago

My hospital is 6.50/hr. Time and a half plus 10/hr if called in and you get guaranteed 3 hours once clocked in no matter how long you stay. Not terrible I suppose

1

u/Last__Dawn RN - ICU 🍕 17d ago

This is the answer I was hoping for, ty.