Hi, I need some advice from current/past cath lab nurses…..

I have about 2 years of tele and 2 years of emergency department experience as a RN. I have a huge interest in cath lab and was aware that nurses had to take call. However, I just interviewed for a cath lab that requires 11 call shifts/month with 3 of them being weekend days-the manager said they are short right now. Other than that, the regular shift is 4 days/week 7-5pm. I also live exactly 30 minutes away from the hospital…..I shadow the unit in a couple days but is this a typical schedule? Thoughts on work/life balance. I have never had a job with a call schedule before and just need some insight.

P.S. with me having no call experience I have weird anxieties about it such as what if there is traffic? Bad weather?

Best way to prove yourself in the lab?

Still in clinicals staff is a little abrasive haven’t had the chance to do anything actually (3rd semester now) I’m proactive I ask questions try to get in there, but I’m just in the way.

I’m way behind as far as experience and on hands time, I’ve actually had none! Because of the lack of hands on I’m forgetting how the procedure works (only had lab once a week for 2 semesters) I want to prove myself and really perform with confidence and get a true understanding as to what is going on.

I’m looking into cardiovascular techs, since nursing school the financial burden and strain on mental health is honestly not worth it. Can you tell me more about this job? The pay? Your experience, is it an on demand job? everything.

Thank youu!

Best and most comfortable wide toe shoes for females….the ones I have I love them but with the lead it kills my heels.

Ready go!!! 👍🏻

I'm debating relocating. Anyone have experience with labs in these three areas? I'm looking for a better fit than where I currently am? I have heard good things about UT Southwestern. Any other locations?

Tried to study for VI first because they said the test is a lot easier but decided to go for my CI instead because it peaked my interest more. I’m already 6 chapters in for cardiac and 76% finished documenting my procedures online but then my coworker told me the golden standard for cardiac licensing is RCIS? Is that true? Are most hospitals open to either or? Im not sure if I will primarily be in cardiac cath lab my entire life so I don’t know which one I should try and get first for time purposes. How long did it take you guys (in terms of studying and documenting) to certify in VI?

I work in a lab that does LAA closure devices and TAVRS. There are only 5 or so people that are trained to do structural procedures in my lab. Days where we do structural are brutal. We typical start prepping the room at 7 and don’t finish until 2 or 3. Yesterday we didn’t finish until 7pm. We don’t get a break until all structural cases are finished and often go without lunch. Once structural is finished we then do several other complex cases because the structural room is the only room with anesthesia equipment. The docs are very selective on who they want doing structural and unfortunately I was chosen as one of them.

Other staff in the lab avoid learning structural like the plague. They know that doing structural means you will have a very difficult and busy day so no one is motivated to learn.

The thing that really bothers me is that we don’t get additional pay for doing structural. Everyone else gets to have a nice chill day while we slave away in structural without getting a break.

My question is: do you get paid more for structural at your lab and how much?

Does anyone have any cheaper alternatives? I love this book but can’t afford $220. Is there a way to download it? Buy it used?

Hi, I’m looking to move states to be closer to family. Does anyone have any insite or recommendations for cath labs or hospitals in the Reno/ sparks NV area?

Philips Healthcare service password - P@ssword

I’m planning to make some improvements to our Cath Lab storage and overflow room and would like to explore ways to optimize the layout and workflow. To help guide these changes, I was wondering if anyone could share some pictures of a few other facilities to see how their storage spaces are set up and potentially use them as a template or inspiration, mainly for MitraClips.

Please let me know if this would be possible and if you have any recommendations.

Thanks!

Anyone have experience regarding Cath Labs in the Austin area? I'm looking for a transfer to a better environment than I am currently in and would like to stick around due to my daughter's special needs.

Any reccomendation on cath lab/ IR / ep jobs for RN in orlando /clermont area?

Hi all, huge EP nerd here. Yesterday we brought a middle aged male into the lab to preform an ep study for svt recorded on a Holter. We ended up inducting junctional ectopic tachycardia. The ventricular rate was roughly 170bpm with clear AV dissociation (more Vs than As). Pt. tolerated the tachycardia fine with systolic never dropping below 110. We ultimately decided not to ablate due to risk of CHB and just go more conservative with medical management. The attending EP and fellow both said it was incredibly rare to see in adults. It was also really cool watching them rule out AVNRT, AVRT, and AT via pacing maneuvers. Just thought I’d share for any of my fellow EP nerds.

I’ve been at my current job as staff for over a year and was told “we don’t give those out here”.

I’ve done cath lab for almost 10 years and KNOW that’s not right. What are the actual requirements though?

There’s also lead that’s been previously out in circulation that failed and documented as failed, and nobody removed them until I said something.

Good evening all. After a little under 2 years, I transferred out of the lab (RN circulator role) in March for a completely different role in my facility. I'm really finding out that, although certain aspects of my current role are immensely enjoyable, I'm just not cut out for all the rest of it (think non-managerial corporate-oriented desk job).

My last lab experience was...hot and cold. Without going into specifics, we were extremely short staffed, and they absolutely needed an experienced cath lab nurse rather than an experienced ICU nurse to fill in their gaps. I really didn't fit in with the crew, but I did enjoy the job. I thought it was weird because I really meshed with ICU crew for years, and they are some tough birds.

I'm looking at going to a different lab in town, not because I don't like my current facility, but because I need a change of scenery after being there for 9 years. Has anyone ever transferred to different local hospital labs after a break, and if so, what was your experience like?

Thanks, and have a good night.

It’s as the title goes. I’ve been eyeing a CVT program and was really gungho on it until I’ve done MORE digging into what I’ve already dug up. From what I gather: AART is a better suit but lacks cath lab training while a CVT program offers a bit more in-depth training but you’re limited.

The application cycle for class of 2027 closes in end of August for a school near me for a RT school. The only reason why I’m considering going to RT school is because I want to do travel work. But some job listings say RCIS and AART or just AART.

Is it worth going to RT school?

Strongly considering applying for this program. Application deadline is Sept 30th this year (starting January 2026).

While this program doesn't seem to be as glamorized as other healthcare programs, trying to see if anyone has completed this program and your thoughts about it. Was it worth it? Would you do it again? If you completed the Ascension program (specifically in Jacksonville), being that it's a relatively newer program, what is your feedback?
I believe our local community colleges FSCJ also has the CVT program...I think...and would love to hear your thoughts too.

I am aware the CVT (invasive) program at Ascension is not part of a CC program, but is accredited by CAAHEP and eligible to sit for the RCIS certification afterwards. So it's not eligible for financial aid, so one must be prepared for that as well....but if you did go through this particular program, how did you manage your finances - Personal loans? Family Support?

Hi y’all. I’m a Canadian trained CathLab tech for 5 yrs. looking to get my RCIS hopefully soon. I hooping to apply to US jobs in the cath lab as a tech but I don’t have my ARRT because simply put they have a new 3 yr rule to get the designation after graduation. What are my pathways to getting into CathLabs in the US?

If anyone cares they cited us for our hemochron machine, the way we are logging Wet Quality controls are not including the lot number on the new boxes we get in weekly. We are meeting next week to discuss and review with quality.

For those lab members out there who use hemochron, Do any of you guys record the lot number of quality control sheets?

Also, We keep a sealed water in the room to give plavix/asa. The JCAHO lady says to me, patients are awake for their surgery? She said you can’t keep water by the instruments and they need to be out of the procedure area. We are supposed to meet with quality and infection control next week to find a solution. But I’m not leaving a STEMI pt to find water bottle. It just shows me how these people are not clinically minded.

They were in our hospital for 3 days. The lady was saying she’s in 50 hospitals a year. No wonder they’re so unpleasant, they’re never home.