PACU Nurse Jobs
We currently have 971 matching PACU Nurse Jobs.
PACU Nurse FAQs
What hospitals currently have the most PACU Nurse job opportunities?
The hospitals on Vivian that currently have the most PACU Nurse jobs are H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute (20 jobs), Memorial Hermann - Texas Medical Center (12 jobs), and The Hospitals of Providence Sierra Campus (12 jobs).
What is a PACU Nurse?
PACU nurses work in the postanesthesia care unit of a medical facility. The PACU is a type of critical care unit where nurses and other medical professionals observe patients who are waking up from anesthesia. PACU nurses have many responsibilities, including the continuous monitoring of vital signs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a favorable employment outlook for all registered nurses, including those working in the PACU.
What does a PACU nurse do?
Patients are usually asleep when they're transferred from the operating room to the PACU. When a patient arrives in the unit, nurses are responsible for hooking up the equipment used to measure heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs. PACU nurses are also responsible for administering pain medicines and checking surgical dressings.
Anesthesia causes some patients to experience nausea when they wake up, so PACU nurses frequently administer anti-nausea medications, also known as anti-emetics. A PACU nurse must be able to respond quickly any time a patient develops signs of postsurgical complications.
Where do PACU nurses work?
PACU nurses work in hospitals, surgical centers, and other types of medical facilities in the anesthesia recovery units for operating rooms and procedural areas
What skills make a good PACU nurse?
PACU nurses must possess strong assessment skills in case patients experience complications shortly after waking up from anesthesia. A PACU nurse must be able to accurately determine the status of each patient by inspecting surgical wounds and watching for subtle changes in respiratory rate and heart rhythm. Another major function is determining when a patient is ready to be extubated (taken off a breathing machine).
A PACU nurse must also have the skills necessary to respond to cardiovascular emergencies. Anyone who wants to work in a PACU is required to complete the Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certification offered by the American Heart Association. Depending on the setting, some PACU nurses may also be required to complete Pediatric Advanced Life Support training.
Finally, skills related to pain assessment and pain control modalities are essential as PACU nurses are responsible for controlling post-op pain.
How to become a PACU nurse?
The initial steps to becoming a PACU nurse are the same as for any other nursing specialty: complete an accredited nursing program, pass the National Council Licensing Examination, and meet all other licensing requirements established by your state.
PACU nursing isn't an entry-level job, so the next step is to gain experience working as a registered nurse. When you're ready to transition to the PACU, check with your hospital's nursing administration to determine if you need to obtain the Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse Credential. To sit for the CPAN certification exam, you'll need at least 1,200 hours of direct clinical experience within the two years prior to applying.
What certifications are commonly held by PACU nurses?
PACU nurses may hold BLS - Basic Life Support, ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support or PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support among others.
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Recently filled jobs
Registered Nurse (RN) - PACU - Post Anesthetic Care
- Vancouver, WA
- 5x8 hrs
- Days
- Sign-On Bonus
$42-63/hr
Registered Nurse (RN) - PACU - Post Anesthetic Care
- Nampa, ID
- Days
- Referral Bonus
$33-52/hr
Registered Nurse (RN) - PACU - Post Anesthetic Care
- Meridian, ID
- Days
- Referral Bonus
$33-52/hr
Registered Nurse (RN) - PACU - Post Anesthetic Care
- Boise, ID
- Evenings
- Referral Bonus
$33-52/hr
Registered Nurse (RN) - PACU - Post Anesthetic Care
- Twin Falls, ID
- Days
- Referral Bonus
$33-52/hr
Registered Nurse (RN) - PACU - Post Anesthetic Care
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
- Miami, FL
- 3x12 hrs
- Sign-On Bonus
$70K-100K/yrbased on $37-54/hr
Registered Nurse (RN) - PACU - Post Anesthetic Care
- UHealth Tower
- Coral Gables, FL
- 5x8 hrs
- Days
- Sign-On Bonus
$70K-100K/yrbased on $33-49/hr
Registered Nurse (RN) - PACU - Post Anesthetic Care
- Oklahoma City, OK
- 5x8 hrs
- Flexible
- Relocation Bonus
$34-51/hr
Registered Nurse (RN) - PACU - Post Anesthetic Care
- lakewood, CO
- 4x10 hrs
- Days
$37-42/hr
Registered Nurse (RN) - PACU - Post Anesthetic Care
- UHealth Tower
- Miami, FL
- 3x12 hrs
- Sign-On Bonus