PACU Nurse Jobs in California

PACU Nurse jobs in California represent one of the most active perioperative nursing markets in the country, with strong demand at every level from new graduate to seasoned charge nurse, concentrated in hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and academic medical centers. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the primary hiring hubs, anchored by major employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and UCLA Health. The most consistently in-demand specialties include cardiac recovery, pediatric PACU, and high-acuity post-anesthesia care. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles45
Top employerSCA Health
Top cityPalmdale, CA
Cities hiring36
Work type100% On-site
Top credentialPALS Certification

Showing 5 of 45+ PACU Nurse jobs

Staff Nurse II, PACU
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Added 2d ago
Staff Nurse II, PACU
Sutter Health
Santa Cruz, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$89.05 - $119.5/hr
BLS Certification
10,000+

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Registered Nurse PreOp PACU
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Added 3d ago
Registered Nurse PreOp PACU
United Surgical Partners
Citrus Heights, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$67 - $71/hr
BLS Certification
10,000+

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Registered Nurse -Float Pool PACU ICU - Per Diem Days
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Added 3d ago
Registered Nurse -Float Pool PACU ICU - Per Diem Days
Palmdale Regional Medical Center
Palmdale, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$50.5 - $73.81/hr
Bachelor of Science
501-1,000

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PACU Nurse PRN
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Added 4d ago
PACU Nurse PRN
Surgery Ventures
Thousand Oaks, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$46.77 - $66.49/hr
10,000+

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Registered Nurse PreOp PACU
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Added 6d ago
Registered Nurse PreOp PACU
United Surgical Partners
Mission Hills, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$48 - $65/hr
PALS Certification
10,000+

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See All 45 PACU Nurse Jobs in California

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PACU Nurse Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Palmdale
4 jobs
Orange
2 jobs
Monterey
2 jobs
Roseville
2 jobs
San Diego
2 jobs
Marysville
2 jobs
Saint Helena
2 jobs
Downey
1 job
Fresno
1 job

PACU Nurse Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

SCA Health8 open roles
Palmdale Regional Medical Center4 open roles
Kaiser Permanente3 open roles

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in PACU nurse jobs across California.

  • Active California Registered Nurse license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing
  • Minimum one year of PACU, critical care, or perioperative nursing experience
  • Current BLS and ACLS certification required at time of hire
  • CPAN certification preferred or required for senior and charge-level positions
  • Familiarity with post-anesthesia scoring systems such as Aldrete and Modified Aldrete scales
  • Experience with electronic health record systems including Epic or Cerner

PACU Nurse Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a pacu nurse in California?

To become a pacu nurse in California, you first need an active Registered Nurse license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing, which requires completing an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Most California employers then require at least one year of acute care experience, typically in a critical care, step-down, or perioperative setting, before transitioning into a PACU role. Earning the CPAN credential strengthens your candidacy considerably.

How much do PACU nurses make in California?

PACU nurses in California earn a median of about $140,270 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $101,260 for the lowest 10% to over $213,320 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire pacu nurses in California?

Employers hiring pacu nurses in California right now include SCA Health, Palmdale Regional Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's dense network of large integrated health systems, academic medical centers, and freestanding ambulatory surgery centers means pacu nursing openings are distributed widely across both major metros and suburban communities throughout the state.

Which California cities have the most pacu nurse jobs?

The cities with the most pacu nurse openings in California are Palmdale, Orange, and Monterey. The distribution reflects the concentration of major hospital systems and academic medical centers in those metros, while suburban areas around Los Angeles and the Bay Area also generate consistent openings through large regional health networks and high-volume ambulatory surgery centers serving those surrounding communities.

Are there remote pacu nurse jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. PACU nursing is a hands-on bedside role requiring direct patient monitoring during post-anesthesia recovery, so remote work is not a feature of the core position. About 0% of pacu nurse openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those listings typically involve telehealth triage, case management, or post-discharge follow-up functions rather than direct recovery room nursing.

How can I get hired as a pacu nurse in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is completing a new-graduate nurse residency program at a large California health system, with Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and Sutter Health each running structured perioperative or critical care residencies that can lead directly into PACU roles. Candidates without PACU experience often move laterally from ICU, step-down, or OR circulating positions. Holding an active California BLS and ACLS certification and documenting competency with hemodynamic monitoring gives your application a meaningful edge.

Where can I find and apply to pacu nurse jobs in California?

You can find and apply to pacu nurse jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across hospital systems, surgery centers, and academic medical centers. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 45 PACU Nurse Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find PACU Nurse Jobs