The PACU Registered Nurse is responsible for providing safe, high-quality nursing care to patients recovering from anesthesia following surgical, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures. This role requires advanced assessment skills, critical thinking, and the ability to respond rapidly to changes in patient condition while ensuring comfort, safety, and continuity of care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor patients during immediate post-anesthesia recovery, including airway patency, vital signs, neurological status, pain level, and surgical site
• Assess and manage post-operative complications such as respiratory distress, bleeding, nausea/vomiting, and hemodynamic instability
• Administer medications, IV fluids, blood products, and pain management therapies per provider orders and facility protocols
• Maintain airway support, including oxygen therapy, oral/nasal airways, and assistance with advanced airway interventions as needed
• Utilize cardiac monitoring, pulse oximetry, capnography, and other monitoring equipment appropriately
• Perform thorough admission, ongoing, and discharge assessments in accordance with PACU standards
• Provide patient and family education regarding post-operative care, pain management, and discharge instructions
• Communicate effectively with anesthesia providers, surgeons, and interdisciplinary care teams regarding patient status and concerns
• Accurately document patient assessments, interventions, responses, and outcomes.
• Maintain compliance with infection control, patient safety, and regulatory standards
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, unit-based education, and competency validation
• Assist with patient transport and handoff to inpatient units or discharged care settings using standardized handoff tools
• As appropriate, the PACU nurse will also help staff the operating room if cross training competencies are present.