PACU Nurse Jobs
PACU Nurse jobs are open across hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical facilities, from new-grad to lead and charge nurse roles, with concentrations in cardiac, pediatric, and orthopedic recovery nursing. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 817+ PACU Nurse jobs
Registered Nurse (RN) – Pre-Op/PACU
Part-Time/Per Diem | Monday–Friday | No Weekends or Holidays
Busy Ambulatory Surgery Center
Our fast-paced, patient-focused Ambulatory Surgery Center is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse (RN) to join our Pre-Operative and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) team. We are looking for a compassionate, organized professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and is committed to providing exceptional patient care.
Position Highlights:
- Full-Time or Part-Time opportunities available
- Monday through Friday schedule
- No weekends, holidays, or on-call requirements
- Competitive compensation based on experience
- Supportive team environment with opportunities for professional growth
Responsibilities:
- Perform comprehensive pre-operative patient assessments and education
- Prepare patients for surgery and ensure all required documentation is complete
- Provide safe, high-quality post-anesthesia recovery care
- Monitor patients for post-operative complications and manage recovery needs
- Collaborate closely with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and clinical staff to ensure seamless patient care
- Maintain accurate and timely electronic medical records
- Adhere to all regulatory, accreditation, and infection prevention standards
Qualifications:
- Current California Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing
- Previous Pre-Op and/or PACU experience in an Ambulatory Surgery Center preferred
- BLS and ACLS certifications required
- PALS certification preferred or willingness to obtain
- Excellent assessment, communication, and critical thinking skills
- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of patient-centered care
If you are a dedicated RN who enjoys working in a dynamic outpatient setting and has experience caring for pediatric patients, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today and become part of our exceptional team dedicated to delivering outstanding surgical care.
Pay: $50.00 - $62.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
Work Location: In person
PACU Nurse Jobs by Experience Level
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Find PACU Nurse JobsPACU Nurse Job Market
Who's Hiring
- SCA Health90
- United Surgical Partners36
- Ascension21
- HealthTrust Workforce Solutions20
- Surgery Ventures18
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services54
- Education3
- Consulting & Professional Services1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in PACU nurse jobs.
- Active RN licensure in the state of employment
- Current ACLS certification required at hire or within a defined period
- Minimum one to two years of critical care, emergency, or perioperative nursing experience
- PALS certification required for facilities with pediatric surgical cases
- Proficiency with hemodynamic monitoring and post-anesthesia assessment tools
- BLS certification current and maintained throughout employment
Tips for Your PACU Nurse Job Search
Highlight ACLS and PALS certifications prominently
Most PACU postings screen for Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support before reviewing anything else. List both with expiration dates near the top of your resume so hiring managers confirm compliance in seconds, not minutes.
Quantify your patient recovery ratios
PACU nurses manage multiple post-anesthesia patients at once. State the typical ratio you handled, the acuity levels involved, and whether you worked Phase I, Phase II, or both, so employers immediately understand your workload capacity and scope.
Target openings by surgical specialty, not just unit type
Cardiac and pediatric PACU roles have different skill expectations than general surgical recovery. Filtering by specialty in your search surfaces positions where your case experience is a direct match rather than a rough fit.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists pacu nurse openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare for competency-based scenario questions
PACU interviews regularly present airway-management or hemodynamic-instability scenarios. Walk through your assessment steps, interventions, and escalation decisions out loud during practice so your clinical reasoning sounds structured under pressure.
Negotiate shift differentials, not just base pay
PACU staffing often involves evening on-call obligations or early-morning start times. Ask specifically about shift differential rates and on-call frequency before accepting an offer, since those variables substantially affect your total compensation.
PACU Nurse Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most pacu nurses?
The companies hiring the most pacu nurses right now include SCA Health, United Surgical Partners, and Ascension, with the largest share of openings in Texas, Florida, and Virginia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Ambulatory surgery centers and large hospital networks consistently account for the highest volume of active postings.
How many pacu nurse jobs are remote?
About 0% of pacu nurse openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on clinical nature of most PACU roles. Telehealth pre-admission assessment and post-discharge follow-up coordination are the sub-areas most likely to carry remote or hybrid scheduling options.
How do you become a pacu nurse?
You become a pacu nurse by earning an Associate Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing, passing the NCLEX-RN, and obtaining your state RN license. Most facilities require prior experience in critical care, the emergency department, or the operating room before hiring into PACU. Obtaining ACLS certification before applying strengthens your candidacy significantly.
Can you get a pacu nurse job with little or no experience?
Some hospital systems offer PACU new-grad residency programs that accept candidates without direct post-anesthesia experience, typically pairing them with a preceptor for an extended orientation period. Completing clinical rotations in perioperative or critical care settings during nursing school, and holding current ACLS certification, meaningfully improves your chances of being selected for these competitive programs.
What does the pacu nurse interview process look like?
Most PACU interviews begin with a phone or video screen with a recruiter, followed by a panel or one-on-one interview with the nurse manager and sometimes a charge nurse. Expect clinical scenario questions covering airway management, hemodynamic instability, and emergence reactions. Some facilities include a unit walkthrough or a brief skills check before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to pacu nurse jobs?
You can find and apply to pacu nurse jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, specialty background, and preferred location, then apply directly to each position that fits.
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