PACU Registered Nurse
Wilmington, North Carolina
New Hanover Regional Medical Center

Job Opportunity: PACU Registered Nurse

Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

• Provide Phase 1-2 Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nursing care, including recovery of surgical patients in the ICU setting.
• Manage and upgrade care level in PACU; may recover patients in Surgical ICU (STICU).
• Float to areas with patient overflow, typically surgical short stay.
• Participate in Storm Team and/or Hurricane Team assignments; may be required to work during catastrophic events or disasters.
• Patient diagnoses include vascular/endovascular, neurosurgery, orthopedics, gynecology, urology, general/bariatric surgery, plastics, ENT, ophthalmology, and pediatric surgeries (T&A, ears, hernias, cleft lip/palate).
• Phase II recovery when unit is full; may recover and discharge Phase II patients during nights and weekends.

Work Schedule

• Shift: Day shift, 4 days per week, 10-hour shifts (9:45 AM – 8:15 PM)
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:2
• Call requirement: once every four weeks
• Return to Office (RTO) policy: maximum 7 days; no RTO after booking or onsite workarounds allowed.

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in North Carolina
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Minimum 2 years of PACU (Post Anesthesia Care) experience, with at least some experience within the last year
• One completed travel nursing assignment (travel experience required)
• ICU (Intensive Care Unit) experience
• Certifications: ACLS, BLS, and PALS issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross

Preferred Qualifications

• Charge nurse experience.
• Skills or certifications in conscious sedation, fetal heart monitoring (FHM), intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring, telemetry, ventilator management, ICU background prior to PACU, and pediatric experience.

Unit & Patient Care Details

• Phase 1 Recovery Unit cares for patients post-surgery requiring anesthesia, receiving patients from OR, EP Lab, Endoscopy, IR, MRI, and ICU transfers.
• Recovery times vary from 30 to 90 minutes depending on discharge criteria.
• Use of specialized equipment including cardiac monitors (BP, HR, respirations, O2 saturation), arterial lines, ICP monitors, dopplers, fetal heart monitors, EKOS, sequential compression devices (SCD), and wound vacs.
• Documentation and medication systems: Pyxis, EPIC, Perfect Serve.

Orientation & Training

• Comprehensive, individualized orientation tailored to experience and skill level.
• Scrubs color: Navy.

Compliance & Health Requirements

• Background checks required within 90 days of start, including local, federal, national criminal databases, DOJ sex offender search, and education verification for highest degree earned.
• Physical exam within 1 year of start; if past positive TB, physical within 30 days and annual updates required.
• Fit testing for N95 mask or completion of PAPR training required within 1 year prior to start. Onsite fit testing available if needed.
• Negative TB test or chest x-ray per facility policy.
• Required immunizations or titers: Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B (titer or declination form), and seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption.
• Drug screening: Negative 10-panel drug screen within 30 days of start.
• Annual compliance and facility-specific education modules required.

Additional Requirements

• Must complete facility-specific education modules and orientation checklists prior to start.
• Must complete medication safety training and provide certificate of completion.
• Must complete competency exams as applicable, including dysrhythmia/EKG competency within 72 hours of start (minimum 82% score required).
• Must provide professional references as per agency requirements.
• Must complete facility confidentiality agreement, tobacco-free campus acknowledgement, and hospital policies acknowledgment.
• Must participate in annual mandatory education if working in South Carolina.
• Must complete company phone agreement and other facility-specific documentation as required.

Notes

• Locals living within 50 miles may inquire about local rate options through their recruiter.
• The unit operates 24/7 with staffing based on OR needs.
• Weekend requirements vary.
• Candidates will be screened for ICU experience and must meet certification and competency standards before assignment.

This position is ideal for experienced PACU RNs with ICU background and prior travel nursing experience who are comfortable working in a dynamic, high-acuity surgical recovery environment.