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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At SCA Health, we believe health care is about people - the patients we serve, the physicians we support and the teammates who push us forward. Behind every successful facility, procedure or innovation is a team of 15,000+ professionals working together, learning from each other and living out the mission, vision and values that define our organization. As part of Optum, SCA Health is redefining specialty care by developing more accessible, patient-centered practice solutions for a network of more than 370 ambulatory surgical centers, over 400 specialty physician practice clinics and numerous labs and surgical hospitals. Our work spans a broad spectrum of services, all designed to support physicians, health systems and employers in delivering efficient, value-based care to patients without compromising quality or autonomy. What sets SCA Health apart isn’t just what we do, it’s how we do it. Each decision we make is rooted in seven core values:
- Clinical quality
- Integrity
- Service excellence
- Teamwork
- Accountability
- Continuous improvement
- Inclusion
Our values aren’t empty words - they inform our attitudes, actions and culture. At SCA Health, your work directly impacts patients, physicians and communities. Here, you’ll find opportunities to build your career alongside a team that values your expertise, invests in your success, and shares a common mission to care for patients, serve physicians and improve health care in America. At SCA Health, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to support your health, well-being, and financial future. Our offerings include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k plan with company match, paid time off, life and disability insurance, and more. Please visit, https://careers.sca.health/why-sca, to learn more about our benefits. Your ideas should inspire change. If you join our team, they will.
Responsibilities
We are actively hiring for a Registered Nurse (RN) PACU.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Assess patient status throughout the episode of care
- Develop an individualized perianesthesia plan of care by implementing:
- Provide hand-off report to other teammates that are accurate, concise and pertinent to the patient’s condition and response to care.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Graduate of an Accredited School of Nursing.
- One year of PACU experience preferred.
- Current state licensure to practice within good standings.
- Successful completion of Basic Life Support (BLS) or Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) within 90 days of employment or documentation of current BLS/BCLS certification.
- Successful completion of Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Course within 90 days of employment or documentation of current ACLS certification.
- Successful completion of Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) course is required when pediatric care is included in the facility scope services within 90 days of employment or documentation of current PALS certification.
- Specialty certification in Perioperative Nursing or Perianesthesia is preferred.
USD $50.00/Hr.
USD $56.00/Hr.
Overview
At SCA Health, we believe health care is about people - the patients we serve, the physicians we support and the teammates who push us forward. Behind every successful facility, procedure or innovation is a team of 15,000+ professionals working together, learning from each other and living out the mission, vision and values that define our organization. As part of Optum, SCA Health is redefining specialty care by developing more accessible, patient-centered practice solutions for a network of more than 370 ambulatory surgical centers, over 400 specialty physician practice clinics and numerous labs and surgical hospitals. Our work spans a broad spectrum of services, all designed to support physicians, health systems and employers in delivering efficient, value-based care to patients without compromising quality or autonomy. What sets SCA Health apart isn’t just what we do, it’s how we do it. Each decision we make is rooted in seven core values:
- Clinical quality
- Integrity
- Service excellence
- Teamwork
- Accountability
- Continuous improvement
- Inclusion
Our values aren’t empty words - they inform our attitudes, actions and culture. At SCA Health, your work directly impacts patients, physicians and communities. Here, you’ll find opportunities to build your career alongside a team that values your expertise, invests in your success, and shares a common mission to care for patients, serve physicians and improve health care in America. At SCA Health, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to support your health, well-being, and financial future. Our offerings include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k plan with company match, paid time off, life and disability insurance, and more. Please visit, https://careers.sca.health/why-sca, to learn more about our benefits. Your ideas should inspire change. If you join our team, they will.
Responsibilities
We are actively hiring for a Registered Nurse (RN) PACU.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Assess patient status throughout the episode of care
- Develop an individualized perianesthesia plan of care by implementing:
- Provide hand-off report to other teammates that are accurate, concise and pertinent to the patient’s condition and response to care.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Graduate of an Accredited School of Nursing.
- One year of PACU experience preferred.
- Current state licensure to practice within good standings.
- Successful completion of Basic Life Support (BLS) or Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) within 90 days of employment or documentation of current BLS/BCLS certification.
- Successful completion of Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Course within 90 days of employment or documentation of current ACLS certification.
- Successful completion of Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) course is required when pediatric care is included in the facility scope services within 90 days of employment or documentation of current PALS certification.
- Specialty certification in Perioperative Nursing or Perianesthesia is preferred.
USD $50.00/Hr.
USD $56.00/Hr.
See All 5 PACU Nurse Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find PACU Nurse JobsPACU Nurse Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
PACU Nurse Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Community Health System2
- SCA Health2
- Scripps Health1
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services2
- Insurance1
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 Community Health System, SCA Health, and Scripps Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 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 Clovis, Encinitas, and Fresno. 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 June 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 5 PACU Nurse Jobs in California
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