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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We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!
Organization:
PAMF-Sutter Maternity and Surg CtrPosition Overview:
Accountable for the assessment, coordination, delivery and evaluation of nursing care, including direct patient care, patient/family education and transitions of care in an acute patient setting. Delivers holistic and individualized care to all patients in an assigned area. Develops, implements, and coordinates a plan of care that incorporates psychological, sociocultural, spiritual, economic, and life-style factors. Fosters and maintains collaborative relationships between patients, their family/support group, physicians, and other healthcare providers through timely and effective communications. Adheres to hospital policies, industry standards, best practices, and applicable laws and regulations to promote an optimal patient experience.Job Description:
These Principal Accountabilities, Requirements and Qualifications are not exhaustive, but are merely the most descriptive of the current job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, staff changes, workload, or technical development).
EDUCATION:
Other: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
OR RN license evidences completion of a RN program
CERTIFICATION & LICENSURE:
RN-Registered Nurse for the state where care is provided
BLS-Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider
DEPARTMENT REQUIRED CERTIFICATION & LICENSURE:
ACLS-Advanced Cardiac Life Support
TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:
2 years of recent relevant experience.
DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
Department: PACU, Surgical Care Annex, Presurgical Care Unit (ACU), 2 years RN with at least six months of prior bedside experience in PACU, ED, or ICU in a multiple specialty acute care facility within the last two years
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
Demonstrated general knowledge and competence with regard to nursing theories, concepts and practices; medical terminology; anatomy; and physiology.
Working knowledge of the healthcare industry, safety precaution policies, best practices regarding patient care and privacy, and changes in local/state/federal regulations.
Possess written and verbal communications skills to explain sensitive information clearly and professionally to diverse audiences, including non-medical people.
Time management and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize patient care, assignments and work within standardized policies, procedures, and practices to achieve objectives and meet time sensitive activities.
Basic knowledge of computer applications, such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Outlook).
Work independently as well as be part of the team, while accomplishing multiple interventions in an ever-changing environment.
Ability to communicate and engage team members, patients and families in a variety of stressful situations.
Use existing procedures and critical thinking to identify and solve routine or complex problems.
Ensure the privacy of each patient’s protected health information (PHI).
Build collaborative relationships with peers and other healthcare providers to achieve departmental and corporate objectives.
Prioritize assignments and work within standardized policies, procedures, and scientific methods to achieve objectives and meet deadlines.
Job Shift:
VariedSchedule:
Full TimeShift Hours:
10Days of the Week:
VariableWeekend Requirements:
OccasionallyBenefits:
YesUnions:
NoPosition Status:
Non-ExemptWeekly Hours:
30Employee Status:
RegularEmployees of Sutter Health and its entities may handle hazardous drugs in the course of their work, including patient care, which requires them to manage, store, prepare, receive, unpack, transport, dispose of, or administer drugs identified as hazardous or potentially hazardous by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and in accordance with the USP 800 guidelines.
Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Pay Range is $89.05 to $119.50 / hour
The posted pay range is based on the position's primary work location. Candidates who reside and work outside of that location may be subject to a different pay range based on their work location. Candidate starting salaries consider multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.
See All 45 PACU Nurse Jobs in California
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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



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.
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