Travel PACU Nurse Jobs
Make a Difference as a PACU Travel Nurse
PACU nurses play a critical role in ensuring a smooth transition from the unconscious state to full consciousness for patients following surgery. PACU RNs are highly trained, compassionate and great communicators - if this sounds like you, it may be time to try traveling as a PACU nurse. You choose your specialty and your next adventure.
Interested in traveling as a PACU nurse? Browse travel PACU nurse jobs at outstanding facilities across the country and find your fit.
What is a traveling post-anesthesia care unit nurse?
A traveling Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nurse is a registered nurse who works on a temporary or contractual basis in different medical facilities to provide care for patients recovering from anesthesia. These RNs work in the PACU and monitor vitals, administer medications, and assess their pain levels, among other duties. Traveling PACU nurses are trained to handle various types of surgeries and procedures and must be able to adapt quickly to new environments and healthcare teams. They may work in hospitals, outpatient surgical centers, or other medical facilities providing comprehensive nursing care, and can travel domestically or internationally depending on their assignment.
Typical PACU RN Responsibilities:
- Assess patients post-surgery to ensure their safety and comfort
- Monitor vital signs, pain levels, and overall patient condition
- Administer medications as ordered by the physician
- Provide wound care as necessary
- Coordinate with the healthcare team to create an individualized treatment plan for each patient
- Document all interventions and observations accurately
- Ensure patient records are up-to-date
- Assist in moving patients safely from the surgical table to a recovery area
- Monitor patient progress as they wake up from anesthesia
- Provide emotional support to patients to ease any anxiety or discomfort
Choose where you go
With opportunities for travelers all over the country, we’ve selected areas with the most popular medical traveling jobs to help you find your best fit.
Advantages & Perks for Travel PACU Nurse Jobs
Competitive pay
Travel nurses are the backbone of medical traveling. Pay transparency means you can see what you'll actually get paid before you even apply.
Per diem
PACU travel nursing professionals qualify for a weekly, tax-free per diem that can help you cover the cost of moving, like your transportation, meals, and other expenses.
Certifications
Level-up, PACU nurse. Get your state licenses and travel nurse requirements reimbursed.
Travel life
See new spaces. See new faces. Grow and learn in your nursing career as you grow and learn in various cities all over the country.Travel Nursing Compliance & Licensure
Being a travel nurse is a great way to grow your experience and learn on the job. What if your dream travel assignment is asking for certifications you don’t have? Don’t sweat. You’ll get training in nursing and financial assistance for the cost of licensing and certifications!
Degrees and Certifications
Keeping up with the world of licensing and certification can be intimidating. Degrees and certifications depend on your modality and specialty but getting compliant for your home state and others you want to travel to are easier as a medical professional with the help of the nurse licensure compact. Compliance experts work with your recruiter and the facility to ensure that you have all the relevant credentials required for any and all PACU travel nurse jobs.
Compliance Requirements
Some of your compliance requirements are the same across the board, but there are others that will depend on your specialty in nursing.
The three parts of compliance
- Occupational health records: Required immunizations and health examinations
- Documentation: Tax forms, insurance paperwork, and licenses
- Testing: Certifications, online training, and workplace safety exams
FAQs
What are the requirements for being a travel PACU nurse?
To become a travel Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nurse, you must first be a registered nurse (RN) with an active nursing license in good standing. Additionally, most travel agencies and healthcare systems require at least two years of experience in the PACU specialty before applying for a PACU travel nurse job. It's also essential to have strong critical thinking, expertise in post anesthesia care, and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to adapt quickly to new environments and healthcare teams.
What are the best certifications for a PACU rN?
Some key certifications for PACU RNs include Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) certification, granted by the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification (ABPANC), which is specifically tailored for post-anesthesia nurses. It validates a nurse's competency in post-anesthesia nursing. Other requirements may include a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification, and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
What is the average salary of a PACU nurse?
The salary of a registered nurse can vary significantly depending on the experience of the nurse as well as the experience, certifications, and location they are working in. The median salary for a registered nurse was $81,220 per year or $39.05 per hour in 2022 with most earning between $66,680 and $101,100 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Entry-level registered nurse jobs or those with the lowest 10% salary earned around $61,250, while the highest 10% earned more than $129,400. According to ZipRecruiter, the average pay for PACU travel nurse jobs is $2,520 per week as of Jan 24, 2024.
Where are PACU travel nursing jobs available?
At Fusion Medical Staffing, we offer a variety of travel nursing jobs for PACU nurses across the country. As an RN, you'll have the opportunity to work at top medical facilities, including hospitals and outpatient surgical centers. With competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and 24/7 support from our experienced recruiters, you can be confident that you're getting the best package available. Join our Fusion family today and start your exciting journey as a travel PACU nurse!