PACU Registered Nurse
Wilmington, NC
American Traveler
4x10 hrs, Days

Assignment Overview

• Shift: Days, 4x10hrs
• Hours: 40 hrs/wk
• Start Date: Jun 29, 2026
• Length: 13 weeks
• Openings: 1

Description

American Traveler is seeking an experienced travel RN for a PACU position requiring a minimum of 2 years of experience, prior traveler experience, and ICU background.

Details

• Hospital-based PACU (Phase 1 Recovery Unit) providing post-anesthesia care for patients arriving directly from the OR, EP Lab, Endo, IR, and MRI
• Diverse surgical patient population including vascular/endovascular, neurosurgery, orthopedics, gynecology, urology, general/bariatric, plastics, ENT, ophthalmology, and pediatric cases (T&A, ears, hernias, cleft lip/palate)
• Phase II recovery responsibilities when that unit reaches capacity, including overnight patients destined for the tower or ICU
• PACU RNs may be assigned to recover patients in the STICU setting; ICU-level care is frequently managed within the PACU itself
• Patient ratio of 1:2
• 4x10-hour day shifts, 9:45 AM – 8:15 PM
• Weekend requirements vary
• On-call requirement approximately once every four weeks
• Float requirement to surgical short stay for overflow patients
• Specialized equipment includes cardiac monitors, arterial lines, ICP monitoring, dopplers for vascular checks, fetal heart monitors, EKOS, SCD pumps, and wound vacs
• EMR: Epic (documentation); Pyxis (medication dispensing); Perfect Serve (communication)

Requirements

• Active NC or compact RN license required (may be pending at time of consideration)
• Current certifications required: BLS, ACLS, and PALS (may be pending at time of consideration)
• Minimum 2 years of PACU (Phase 1 and 2) experience required
• Prior ICU experience required
• Prior travel nursing experience required
• Two professional references from a manager or supervisor within the past 2 years are required (pending at time of consideration is acceptable)
• Previous permanent, PRN, or EP staff employees of this health system must have a 12-month gap before being considered as a traveler, and facility rehire approval is required

Additional Information

• Preferred experience and skills include charge nurse experience, conscious sedation, fetal heart monitoring (FHM), ICP monitoring, telemetry, ventilator management, and pediatric experience
• The unit operates 24/7 and staffing is based on OR need
• New hires receive a comprehensive, individualized orientation tailored to their experience and skill level; orientation begins weekly
• Pre-start online modules are required (approximately 8–10 hours for acute care roles) and must also be completed annually
• Candidates must be prepared to work 2 out of 3 major holidays
• RTO is not permitted during the first week of the assignment due to orientation; up to 7 days of RTO may be approved provided it does not fall on a holiday
• Contract staff are expected to participate in Storm Team and/or Hurricane Team assignments and may be required to report during catastrophic events, mass casualty incidents, or disasters
• Travel pairs are welcome provided each traveler has their own transportation and is comfortable with potentially different schedules
• Navy scrubs are required
• Local candidates within 50 miles of the facility are accepted at a different rate
• This position is open to first-time travelers only if they meet the traveler experience requirement