Travel Nurse RN - PACU - Post Anesthesia Care
Manchester, CT
First Connect Health
5x8 hrs, Evenings
Referral Bonus

RN - Ambulatory PACU (Evening Shift)

Location: Manchester, CT

Contract Duration: 12 Weeks (03/23/2026 – 06/20/2026)

Shift: Evening Shift (15:00 – 23:00) | 5x8s (40 hrs/week)

Weekly Hours: 40 Hours Guaranteed

On-Call: Required (Weekdays and Weekends)

Job Summary

A 181-bed acute-care community hospital and Primary Stroke Center, is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse for their Ambulatory Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Unlike a standard inpatient PACU, the Ambulatory unit focuses on patients who are undergoing same-day procedures and are intended to return home. As the evening shift RN, you will manage the final stages of patient recovery and discharge, ensuring safety during the critical "waking" period from anesthesia.

Key Responsibilities

• Phase I & II Recovery: Monitor patients emerging from general, regional, or local anesthesia. Focus on airway management, hemodynamic stability, and neurovascular assessments.
• Specialized Case Load: Recover patients from a variety of ambulatory surgeries including Cataracts, Knee/Shoulder Arthroscopy, Laparoscopic General Surgery, and GYN procedures.
• Pain & Nausea Management: Administer IV analgesics and anti-emetics, utilizing the ASPAN standards of care to ensure patient comfort before discharge.
• Discharge Education: Provide critical post-operative instructions to patients and families regarding wound care, medication adherence, and emergency warning signs.
• On-Call Support: Provide backup coverage for emergent cases that may arise after hours, ensuring the OR and PACU are ready for urgent community needs.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 2 years of PACU experience is strictly required.
• Licensure: Active Connecticut State RN License in hand.
• Certifications: * BLS (AHA) – Required.
  • ACLS (AHA) – Required.
  • PALS (AHA) – Highly preferred (as some ambulatory patients may be pediatric).
• Clinical Skills: Proficiency in airway management (manual maneuvers, suctioning), EKG interpretation, and recovery of patients following robotic-assisted and laparoscopic techniques.

Unit & Facility Details

• Trauma Level: Primary Stroke Center (Advanced Certification).
• Patient Census: High-volume outpatient throughput; the unit is busy during the afternoon and tapers toward 23:00.
• EMR: Epic.
• Facility Highlights: Manchester Memorial recently received the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award, ranking in the top 10% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety.