PACU Registered Nurse
Lakewood, CO
American Traveler
3x12 hrs, Days

Assignment Overview

• Shift: Days, 3x12hrs
• Hours: 36 hrs/wk
• Start Date: Jun 22, 2026
• Length: 13 weeks
• Openings: 1

Description

American Traveler is seeking an experienced RN for a PACU position at a Level I Trauma Center in Colorado, requiring at least 2 years of experience and active CO or compact RN licensure.

Details

• 22-bed PACU unit within an acute care, Level I Trauma Center
• Unit operates both Phase 1 and Phase 2 recovery
• Common cases include orthopedic, trauma, cardiac, urology, pulmonary, and GI
• Nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:2
• ICU-level patients are recovered in the PACU
• Respiratory therapy equipment in use, including vents, CPAP, and BiPap
• RNs are responsible for reading cardiac strips
• 12-hour variable shifts with start times of 0730, 0800, 0900, 1000, and 1100; primarily 1100–2300
• On-call requirement of 1 night every 6 weeks
• Travelers are first to float; floating is required within the assigned zone
• Holiday coverage is required
• EMR: Epic

Requirements

• Active CO or Compact (NLC) RN license required; pending licenses will not be accepted
• Current AHA certifications required: BLS, ACLS, and PALS; pending certifications not accepted
• Minimum 2 years of RN experience required
• ED or ICU experience is required
• BSN is not required
• A valid driver's license must be submitted for consideration
• 2 professional references required: one supervisor from within the last 12 months worked, and one peer or supervisor from within the last 3 years worked, including dates of employment and eligibility for rehire
• Candidates must reside more than 60 miles from the facility to qualify for the travel pay rate; DL is used to verify permanent address

Additional Information

• Orientation is 12 hours; candidates must be in-state for the week of orientation even if initial modules are remote
• PACU and surgery center-specific orientation is provided
• Charge nurses do not carry a patient assignment but assist with lunch relief; no nurse aides on the unit
• Hospital-provided scrubs
• Candidates who have been directly employed (full-time, part-time, or PRN) by any CommonSpirit, CHI, or Dignity facility within the past year are not eligible; candidates who worked PRN through outside staffing firms will be considered
• Travelers are expected to float within the zone they are hired into and are responsible for securing housing that supports this requirement
• A unit manager interview is part of the hiring process