PACU Registered Nurse
Boise, Idaho
St. Luke's Boise Medical Center

Job Opportunity: PACU Registered Nurse (RN)

Location: Boise, Idaho
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Seeking a PACU RN for a 13-week contract to work 9-hour day shifts in a busy Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The unit covers Phase I and II recovery in one area, with 3 total recovery areas (adult outpatient, adult inpatient, and pediatric inpatient/outpatient). Nurses will likely work across all areas during their shift.

Schedule

• 4 shifts per week, 9 hours each (shift end times vary: 8:30 PM, 9:30 PM, or 10:30 PM)
• Mostly Mondays and Fridays included
• Option for a 3-day weekend
• No self-scheduling available
• Call is not required but may ask for volunteers if needed
• Floating is rare and limited to nearby locations; may float to pre-op if experienced

Patient Ratios & Unit Details

• Nurse to patient ratio: 1:2 (based on ASPAN standards)
• 31 beds in the unit
• Volume: 75-90 cases per day
• Cases include all surgical specialties: total joints, neuro, cardiac, plastics, cath lab, IR, endoscopy
• Pediatric cases include ENT surgeries and complex spine surgeries (area’s children’s hospital)
• ICU patients recover here unless intubated
• Open heart surgeries are NOT recovered in PACU

Required Qualifications

• License: Registered Nurse (RN) license required
• Certifications: BLS, ACLS, PALS required
• Experience:

  • Minimum 2 years PACU experience preferred
  • Must have experience caring for both pediatric and adult patients
  • Prior travel experience is required (must have experience traveling and caring for both children and adults)
• EMR: EPIC experience required

Unit Support & Environment

• Charge nurses rarely take patient assignments
• Manager/Assistant Nurse Managers work Monday-Friday
• 6-7 CNAs staffed Monday-Friday assisting with transport, mobility assessments, IV removal, bladder trials, EKGs, phlebotomy, room turnover, stretcher cleaning
• Respiratory therapy support available for patients with RT equipment needs
• RNs read cardiac strips electronically
• Blue scrubs supplied
• Approximately 3 days of unit-specific orientation covering all recovery areas

Additional Notes

• The department is known for a positive and welcoming environment, with many contract nurses extending their assignments
• The busiest PACU in the system with a strong anesthesia team readily available
• Communication via Voalte phone system for quick contact with surgeons or anesthesia
• Radius rule: candidates must live outside a 50-mile radius of the facility

This position is ideal for experienced PACU RNs with pediatric and adult care skills, EPIC proficiency, and prior travel nursing experience looking for a fast-paced, supportive environment in Boise, Idaho.