PACU Nursing Salary, Job Description, Duties

Travel nursing in a post-anesthesia care unit is ideal for quick-thinking, focused clinicians who enjoy supporting patients as they recover from surgery.

PACU nurses work within a post-anesthesia care unit (formerly known as the recovery room), where patients are cared for and monitored as they recover from the effects of anesthesia. PACU nurse responsibilities include all aspects of patient care following surgery. This care includes monitoring heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and respiration, as well as managing the pain and nausea that often follow anesthesia.

The surgical site itself requires ongoing evaluation for potential bleeding or other pathological indications. The PACU nurse is in charge of assessing the patient’s overall condition during the delicate post-anesthesia period, providing care and intervention as needed. Documentation and patient education are also components of this critical nursing discipline. In outpatient surgical settings, it’s the PACU nurse who instructs patients in self-care techniques following the procedure.

PACU nurses must be able to think critically, make confident decisions in a fast-paced clinical environment and communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

According to indeed.com, the average nationwide pay for PACU nurses is $118,617 annually, with salaries ranging from the upper $80's to over six figures. Annual pay varies by region, facility, and experience levels.

All PACU nurses must have an RN degree. Additionally, this area of practice can be a great career move for RN's who already have significant experience in other units. PACU nurses most often start out in Emergency Room or Critical Care positions, as these specialties provide the necessary grounding for working in post-anesthesia care. These two areas of practice provide RNs with the ICU skills and decision-making abilities required in PACU. Although many PACU patients are not critical, the potential for an emergency situation in the post-operative unit is greater than at almost any other time during the patient's hospital stay. Nursing curriculum coursework is available in perianesthesia, the care continuum related to PACU work. This coursework can be completed as part of a four year nursing degree or by enrolling in graduate coursework following licensure as an RN. After 1,800 clinical hours within two years’ time, the RN can apply for accreditation as a Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) or a Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA).