PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) Registered Nurse
PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) Registered Nurse
Marrero, Louisiana | New Orleans, Louisiana | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | Onsite | Full-Time
The role
A PACU Registered Nurse provides specialized post-anesthesia care to patients recovering from surgery or medical procedures. You're the first line of care when patients are at their most vulnerable — monitoring their return to consciousness and making sure they're stable before moving on.
What you'll do
- Assess and monitor patients as they recover from anesthesia, tracking airway, breathing, oxygen saturation, vital signs, and cardiac rhythm- Manage post-operative pain, nausea, and anesthesia-related symptoms- Evaluate level of consciousness and neurological status throughout the recovery period- Administer medications, IV fluids, and ordered treatments- Watch for complications — bleeding, respiratory issues, adverse reactions — and act fast- Assist with airway management and emergency interventions as needed- Educate patients and families on post-operative care and expectations- Communicate patient status clearly to surgeons, anesthesiologists, and receiving nurses- Document assessments, interventions, and patient responses accurately- Confirm patients meet recovery criteria before transfer or discharge
Settings you may work in
Hospital PACU and recovery rooms, acute-care and surgical hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient and specialty surgical centers, children's hospitals with pediatric PACU, trauma centers, and academic medical centers.
About you
- Active RN license required- Experience in PACU, perioperative, ICU, or critical care preferred- Strong assessment skills and calm under pressure- BLS certification required- ACLS certification required- PALS may be required for pediatric PACU positions