Hi. We started our open heart program 3 years ago. Approximately 6-8 months AFTER we were in operation the CVICU RNs (of which I am one) found out that the CVOR RNs are being paid $5 MORE an hour for open heart cases. They are paid their base pay for opening the room for vascular cases. Needless to say, this caused a significant amount of strife, discord, and division between the two departments which continues today. When we spoke with our manager (who is also the AVP of critical care) we were told they were unable to attract RNs to work in the CVOR and felt that offering additional compensation was the only way to attract them. We were advised not to take the topic any further up the administration ladder. Now my boss/AVP DOES NOT support this, but since they had no problem recruiting from RNs (all were in-house applicants), admin felt they did NOTneed to offer additional compensation for the RNs who LITERALLY HOLD THE PATIENTS LIVES IN THEIR HANDS EVERY DAY!!!!!!!!!! We are also expected to work 12 hour shifts AND weekends AND holidays AND take call when we are closed. I have worked 7 12-hour shifts in a row during winter. CVOR RNs have NEVER worked that hard or that many days in a row. In fact, they have a schedule that allows them to have THREE DAY WEEKENDS every other week. This was also brought up to our Nursing Shared Governance Team (supposedly a confidential meeting where it is safe to air our complaints and concerns) and when the team member attended the weekly admin meeting to update them (not intending to dicuss the issue at the time), they were SOUNDLY chastised and warned not to discuss the issue further. They were further reminded that the Nursing Shared Governance Team has no authority as far as pay, hiring, etc. So much for feeling like staff nurses actually have a say! I have said all of this to tell you to do whatever it takes to make sure that ALL RNs are treated equally. NO RN is more important than another. Each and every one are needed regardless of specialty. The respect I have for the CVOR RNs is tainted by the secrecy and the blatant cover-up of the additional compensation. It is sad because I feel I cannot trust them to even give me the correct report from the OR. I had to do A LOT of soul-searching to decide if I was still able to work in my facility. I hope you have a better experience and good luck! Please remember that this is an isolated incident and I have no idea about any other facility.

P.S. Please excuse the all caps. I was just trying to place emphasis on my comments, not yell. Thanks for your understanding.

At my facility they are paid the same as other nurses, and receive no extra $ for call pay.