PACU Nurse Jobs

As of Saturday, May 16th 2026, Vivian has 81 listings for local contract Nursing jobs. These jobs pay $53 per hour on average, and up to $65 per hour for the top-paying job listed.

As of Saturday, May 16th 2026, Vivian has 1,612 listings for travel Nursing jobs. These jobs pay $2,149 per hour on average, and up to $3,692 per hour for the top-paying job listed.

Take a look at Vivian's PACU Nurse Career Guide for more information, including required education, responsibilities, pros and cons and more.

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.

Some healthcare employers may prefer PACU nurse job candidates with Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia nurse (CAPA), and some may even require specific professional certifications.

Having a Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia nurse (CAPA) validates your knowledge and skills as a PACU nurse and your dedication to continuing your education in your chosen field. All of which makes you a more desirable job candidate to healthcare employers.