PACU RN
Wilmington, NC
American Traveler
3x12 hrs, Nights

Assignment Overview

• Shift: Nights, 3x12hrs
• Hours: 36 hrs/wk
• Start Date: Sep 27, 2026
• Length: 13 weeks
• Openings: 1

Description

American Traveler is hiring an experienced RN for a PACU position requiring prior ICU experience and previous travel assignment history.

Details

• Work in the Phase I and Phase II PACU unit of a hospital, providing observation and care for patients recovering from surgical procedures requiring anesthesia
• Receive patients directly from the OR, EP Lab, Endo, IR, and MRI, as well as ICU patients requiring recovery before unit admission
• Occasionally recover surgical patients in the ICU setting and send PACU RNs to the STICU to recover patients
• Patient population includes vascular/endovascular, neurosurgery, orthopedics, gynecology, urology, general/bariatric, plastics, ENT, ophthalmology, and pediatric surgical cases (T&A, ears, hernias, cleft lip/palate)
• Patient ratio of 1:2
• Night shift schedule, 3x12-hour shifts from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM
• Weekend requirements vary
• Float to areas of overflow patients, typically surgical short stay
• On-call requirement once every four weeks
• Uses cardiac monitors, arterial lines, ICP monitoring, dopplers, fetal heart monitors, EKOS, SCD pumps, and wound vacs
• EMR: Epic experience preferred
• Uses Pyxis for medication management and PerfectServe for communication

Requirements

• Active RN license (NC or Compact) required, pending license accepted at time of submission
• Current certifications: ACLS, BLS, and PALS
• Minimum 2 years of PACU experience required
• Prior ICU experience required
• Previous travel nursing experience required
• Preferred experience: charge nurse role, conscious sedation, FHM, ICP monitoring, telemetry, ventilator management, ICU background prior to PACU, and pediatric experience
• Skills in medication administration including antiarrhythmics, anticoagulation therapy, antihypertensives, emergency medications, and narcotics/opioid analgesics
• Experience with cardiac monitoring, arterial line management, and dysrhythmia recognition/management
• Experience with various anesthesia types including conscious sedation, general, local, and nerve blocks
• Two professional references from a supervisor within the past 2 years required (pending references accepted at submission)

Additional Information

• Recover patients following a variety of surgical procedures across multiple specialties including bariatrics, ENT, general, gynecology, neuro, ophthalmology, ortho, plastics, urology, and vascular surgery
• Manage pain assessment, PCA pumps, and RASS (Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale) monitoring
• Provide pre/post-operative patient care and wound vac management
• New hires receive a comprehensive, individualized orientation tailored to their experience and skill level
• Contract staff will be assigned to a Storm Team and/or Hurricane Team and may be required to report during catastrophic events, mass casualties, or disasters
• Navy scrubs required
• Up to 7 days of RTO can be auto-approved as long as it does not fall on a holiday; no RTO allowed during the first week of assignment
• Must work 2 of 3 major holidays
• Local candidates within 50 miles of the facility are accepted at a local rate
• Travel pairs are allowed if assigned to different units and disclosed at submission
• Former Novant Health or New Hanover employees (perm/PRN/EP) must wait 12 months before applying and disclose prior employment details for facility approval
• First-time travelers are not considered for this position due to travel experience requirement