PACU Registered Nurse
Bismarck, North Dakota
CHI Saint Alexius Health

PACU RN Position

Location: Bismarck, North Dakota
Facility: St Alexius Health Bismarck Medical Center
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Unit & Patient Care Details

• Department: PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) - Phase 1 and Phase 2 recovery
• Number of beds: 15
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratio:

  • Standard: 1:2
  • Pediatric or higher acuity patients: 1:1
• Common Cases: Mixed cases including daily pediatric patients and patients with disabilities; all OR cases except transplant
• ICU patients may recover in PACU, including vented patients on pressors and needing blood products (experience required)
• Respiratory Therapy Equipment: Vent to nasal cannula, CPAP, BiPAP
• RNs are responsible for reading cardiac strips

Experience & Certifications

• Preferred: 3+ years of experience
• Must be able to recover pediatric patients
• Must be willing to second phase patients out of OR
• Certifications Required: BLS, ACLS, PALS

Scheduling & Shifts

• Shift Types: Mixed 8- and 12-hour shifts
• Typical Shift Times:

  • 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM
  • 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
  • On-call: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
• Call Requirements:

  • Weeknight call: Maximum 1-2 nights per 6-week schedule (max 8 call shifts in 6 weeks)
  • Weekend call: 24 hours of weekend call in a 6-week schedule
  • Holiday call: As needed during contract
• Call Response Time: 30 minutes

Orientation & Support

• Orientation: 2 days unit-specific PACU orientation plus buddy call during first weekend
• Charge Nurse: Present on each shift, provides break relief and sometimes takes assignments; travelers do not serve as charge nurse
• Nurse Aids: Sometimes 1 aid available; RNs transport patients
• Floating: Travel staff float first to inpatient units as helping hands or sitters, and to Phase 2 comfort care

Additional Information

• EMR System: EPIC
• Dress Code: Scrubs provided
• Desired Attributes: Kindness, willingness to help others, efficiency, team player
• Radius Rule: Must live within 50 miles and cannot be currently employed full-time, part-time, or PRN with any CommonSpirit-associated facility (including CHI or Dignity)
• Return to Office (RTO): Required within 7 days of contract start; no additional RTO approvals after submission

This position is ideal for experienced PACU nurses comfortable with pediatric and mixed acuity patients, who are team-oriented and flexible with floating and call requirements.