Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Nurse Jobs

As a PACU nurse, you help patients recover from anesthesia following surgery or other invasive procedures. PACU RN jobs require keen observation skills and to properly care for patients coming out of sedation. And there are many of them — about 40–50 million major surgeries are performed in the US every year.

If you’re interested in PACU nurse jobs, this is a great place to get started, whether you’re searching for full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, or per diem work. You can also find opportunities for PACU travel nurse jobs. Learn more about the available positions on IntelyCare that might be a good fit.

PACU RN Education and Skills

Before you can apply to PACU jobs, you will need to hold either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited program, as well as an unencumbered RN license.

You may need to obtain certifications in basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS), and pediatric advanced life support (PALS). To gain advanced training, consider becoming a certified post-anesthesia nurse (CPAN). For certain positions, you may need a minimum number of years of med-surg experience.

PACU Nurse Resume and Cover Letter

A comprehensive nursing resume can give you an advantage when applying to PACU nurse jobs. Make sure your resume reflects the responsibilities noted in a job ad. For example, if a desired candidate should have experience “presenting a care plan to the patient and family while in the hospital and at time of discharge,” put those phrases into your resume.

To further align your talents with the job, share a story in your cover letter about a time when you educated patients about their condition. This helps a hiring manager see that you’re capable of carrying out a job’s duties.

Interviewing for PACU Nursing Jobs

An interview is a two-way street. It’s a great opportunity for you to meet with potential employers and get a sense if you’d be a good fit for their team. Of course, they’re also determining if you’ve got the demeanor and skills to make a positive impact in the PACU. It’s natural to feel some pressure, but you can take some weight off your shoulders by preparing in advance with our nursing interview tips. Learn some good steps to take that can give your performance a boost.

PACU Nurse Salary

The average salary for a PACU RN is around $95,000 per year. Your location, years of experience, education level, and employer type can affect what you earn in PACU jobs. To get a clearer idea of PACU nurse jobs’ salary estimations in your area, explore the current openings on IntelyCare.

Ready to Find PACU Nurse Jobs?

Check out all the positions available right now. Want more options? IntelyCare can match you with even more nursing jobs that interest you.