PACU Registered Nurse

Employment Type: Full time • Shift: Day Shift

About the Role

At the Connecticut Joint and Spine Institute within Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, the Registered Nurse (RN) in the Pre & PACU unit provides comprehensive perioperative care for patients undergoing orthopedic and spine procedures in a specialized surgical setting.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality pre-operative and post-anesthesia care for patients undergoing joint and spine surgeries.
• Conduct thorough pre-operative assessments, initiate IVs, and support anesthesia preparation.
• Monitor patients through Phase 1 and 2 recovery, ensuring safe emergence from anesthesia, pain control, and readiness for discharge or inpatient transfer.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited nursing program with an Associate’s degree in Nursing is required.
• Valid RN license in Connecticut.
• One or more years of inpatient PACU experience supporting inpatient surgical recovery (ideal candidate).
• Candidates with 2 or more years of Emergency Room or ICU nurse experience may be considered if they demonstrate expertise in ICU-level ventilated patient care, critical drips (e.g., vasopressors, sedatives), and strong assessment skills.
• BLS/CPR certification (AHA or ARC).
• ACLS and TNCC certification (support available post-hire).
• Proficiency in ASPAN standards and guidelines.

Important Consideration: This role is not designed for new graduates or those seeking training for inpatient PACU nursing. Candidates must be able to function independently in the Preop and PACU, and their resumes must demonstrate expertise in ICU-level ventilated patient care, critical drips (e.g., vasopressors, sedatives), and strong assessment skills.

Pay

This is an hourly position, included in the RN Step Program pay range: $36.15 to $59.95.

Schedule

• Full-Time – 36 hours/week – Day Shift
• Monday through Friday, no weekend or holidays.
• Variable shift start times, with 9-hour shifts.
• Minimal on-call to support off shifts and weekends; frequency is based on unit needs.