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

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - PACU

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

Job Summary

This position is for a Registered Nurse working in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) with responsibilities that may include recovering surgical patients in an ICU setting. The role involves managing Phase 1-2 PACU patients, often upgrading and managing ICU-level care within PACU, and occasionally recovering patients in a Surgical Trauma ICU (STICU).

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, including experience within the last year
• ICU (Intensive Care Unit) experience
• One completed travel assignment
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross

Job Details

• Shift: 12-hour day shifts (6:00 AM - 7:00 PM)
• Patient Ratios: 1:2
• Call Requirement: Once every four weeks
• Float Requirement: May float to areas with overflow patients, typically surgical short stay
• Weekend Requirement: Varies
• RTO (Return to Office) Policy: Maximum 7 days; no RTO after booking allowed onsite
• Disaster Response: Contract staff may be assigned to Storm or Hurricane Teams and required to report during catastrophic events or mass casualty incidents
• Scheduling: Managed by a schedule committee
• Orientation: Comprehensive, individualized orientation tailored to experience and skill level
• Scrubs: Navy color required

Patient Population & Diagnoses

• Vascular and Endovascular
• Neurosurgery and Orthopedics
• Gynecology and Urology
• General Surgery and Bariatric
• Plastic Surgery and ENT
• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric cases including Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy (T&A), ear surgeries, hernias, cleft lip/palate
• Phase II recovery when unit capacity is full

Unit & Equipment Details

• Unit: Phase 1 Recovery Unit for patients post-anesthesia from OR, EP Lab, Endoscopy, IR, MRI, and ICU transfers
• Recovery Time: 30 to 90 minutes depending on discharge criteria
• Special Equipment:

  • Cardiac monitors (blood pressure, heart rate, respirations, O2 saturation)
  • Arterial lines, ICP monitoring
  • Dopplers for vascular checks
  • Fetal heart monitors
  • EKOS, Sequential Compression Device (SCD) pumps, wound vacs
• Systems Used: Pyxis medication system, EPIC electronic health records, Perfect Serve communication system

Compliance & Requirements

• Background checks including local, federal, and national criminal databases, education verification, and sex offender searches
• Drug screening within 30 days of start (10-panel, negative result required)
• Physical exam within 1 year of start (updated annually if past positive TB)
• Fit testing for N95 mask or PAPR training required within 1 year
• Immunizations and titers required: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B (or facility-specific declination), Flu vaccine or approved exemption
• TB testing: Negative PPD, Qgold, or Tspot within 1 year; chest x-ray if positive TB history
• Required facility-specific documents and orientation modules must be completed prior to start
• Medication safety and other mandatory education modules required annually
• References: 2 professional references within 3 years for travel and acute care candidates

Additional Notes

• Candidates must have ICU experience prior to PACU assignment; screening includes ICU competency ratings
• Contract staff may be reassigned mid-contract based on unit needs
• Candidates living within 50 miles may inquire about local rate options through their recruiter
• Must be prepared to work in a fast-paced, varied, and challenging PACU environment with potential float to surgical short stay units

This role is ideal for experienced PACU RNs with ICU background looking for a travel contract opportunity in North Carolina with a comprehensive orientation and a supportive team environment.