PACU Nurse Jobs in New York
PACU Nurse jobs in New York represent one of the most active post-anesthesia care markets in the country, with demand concentrated across academic medical centers, Level I trauma facilities, and large ambulatory surgery networks serving patients at every level from new graduate to senior clinician. The heaviest hiring is in New York City, Buffalo, and Albany, where systems like NewYork-Presbyterian, Northwell Health, and Montefiore Medical Center maintain substantial perioperative programs. The most sought-after subspecialties include cardiac surgery recovery, pediatric PACU, and high-acuity orthopedic and neurosurgical cases. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About NYC Health + Hospitals
Harlem Hospital Center has been a bedrock of the Harlem community since 1887. The hospital provides a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic and family support services to the residents of Central Harlem, West Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood. Harlem is the largest hospital in the area, capable of treating the most seriously ill. Harlem provides over 90 specialized ambulatory care services, dentistry and oral surgery, behavioral health services, and community substance abuse treatment.
At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.
Work Shifts
11:00 A.M – 11:30 P.M
Biweekly weekend shifts.
Duties & Responsibilities
Purpose of Position:
Under supervision, provides professional nursing care to patients/clients within an assigned unit. Diagnoses and treats responses to actual or potential health problems by means of nursing methods and techniques such as case-finding, health teaching, health counseling and provision of care supportive to and restorative of life and well-being.
Examples of Typical Tasks:
1. Identifies and discriminates between physical and psycho-social signs and symptoms. Selects and performs those therapeutic measures which are essential for effective execution of the nursing regimen for assigned patients/clients.
2. Develops, implements and continuously evaluates the nursing regimen for assigned patients/clients.
3. Records and maintains nursing care plans and progress notes on patients/clients to ensure continuity of care.
4. Interprets and reports responses of patients/clients to appropriate members of the health team.
5. Participates with interdisciplinary health team members to plan a comprehensive patient care program.
6. Determines and assigns those components of the nursing regimen which may be carried out by allied nursing personnel.
7. Provides teaching, guidance and direction to allied nursing personnel in rendering patient care.
8. Participates in defining, implementing, maintaining and interpreting standards of nursing practice.
9. Participates in departmental and interdisciplinary conferences pertaining to policies and procedures affecting nursing practice.
10. Participates in determining conditions, resources and policies essential to the delivery of nursing care services.
11. Participates in development and maintenance of a system of evaluation of nursing care, practices and
procedures, including evaluation of nursing personnel.
12. Interprets philosophy and objectives of agency and Nursing Department to patients/clients, families and other groups.
13. Maintains professional competence through participation in continuing education and other appropriate learning experiences.
14. Performs other professional nursing activities as delegated by nursing service administration.
Minimum Qualifications
1. A valid New York State license and current registration to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State; and
2. Holds, or obtains through facility orientation, a valid and current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA).
Special Note:
For assignments in Post-Acute Care ONLY, individuals meeting the following criteria may also be considered for appointment: Graduation from a nursing education program registered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) as licensure qualifying for Registered Professional Nurse (RN) and has applied for licensure as an RN. These unlicensed individuals may be employed to practice under the immediate and personal supervision of a NYS licensed, currently registered, RN for up to 90 days immediately following graduation pending receipt of a limited permit, which selected candidates must apply for and receive within the same 90-day period. Once a limited permit is received, individuals can practice nursing, under the immediate and personal supervision of a NYS licensed, currently registered, RN at a NYC Health + Hospitals health care setting for up to one (1) year from the date of issuance of the limited permit. In addition, must hold or obtain through facility orientation, a valid and current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA).
Benefits
NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
- Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
- Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
- Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
- College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
- College Savings Program
- Union Benefits for eligible titles
- Multiple employee discounts programs
- Commuter Benefits Programs
How To Apply
If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply for Job" button.
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Where New York roles are concentrated, by current openings.
PACU Nurse Job Market in New York
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Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
What New York Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in PACU nurse jobs across New York.
- Active New York State Registered Nurse license issued by the New York State Education Department
- Current BLS and ACLS certification required by most New York hospital employers
- Minimum one to two years of critical care or post-anesthesia nursing experience preferred
- CAPA or CPAN certification strongly preferred for mid-level and senior PACU positions
- Demonstrated experience managing patients emerging from general, regional, or moderate sedation
- Proficiency with electronic health record systems used in New York hospital environments
PACU Nurse Jobs in New York: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a pacu nurse in New York?
You become a pacu nurse in New York by first obtaining a Registered Nurse license through the New York State Education Department, which requires completing an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN. Most New York hospitals expect at least one year of critical care, emergency, or surgical nursing experience before moving into PACU. Earning ACLS certification before applying strengthens your candidacy significantly with major New York health systems.
How much do PACU nurses make in New York?
PACU nurses in New York earn a median of about $109,440 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $79,760 for the lowest 10% to over $157,090 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire pacu nurses in New York?
Employers hiring pacu nurses in New York right now include NYU Langone Health, SCA Health, and St. Joseph's Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. New York's dense concentration of academic medical centers and large regional health systems means consistent openings across both inpatient hospital PACU units and freestanding ambulatory surgery centers throughout the state.
Which New York cities have the most pacu nurse jobs?
The cities with the most pacu nurse openings in New York are New York, Rochester, and Syracuse. New York City dominates the distribution because of its sheer volume of large academic medical centers and high-volume surgical programs, while Buffalo and Albany see strong demand driven by regional anchor systems like Kaleida Health and Albany Medical Center that serve broad upstate patient populations.
Are there remote pacu nurse jobs in New York?
Yes, but they're rare. PACU nursing is a hands-on, bedside specialty that requires direct patient monitoring during anesthesia recovery, so fully remote positions are uncommon by nature. About 0% of pacu nurse openings tied to New York are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to be in care coordination, post-procedure telephone triage, or clinical education roles adjacent to PACU rather than direct bedside practice.
How can I get hired as a pacu nurse in New York with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to nurse residency or perioperative fellowship programs run by large New York health systems such as Northwell Health and NewYork-Presbyterian, which specifically accept new graduates into structured surgical and post-anesthesia training tracks. Nurses transitioning from ICU, step-down, or emergency roles are competitive applicants for PACU openings. Holding current ACLS certification and completing a perioperative nursing elective or clinical rotation during your program gives New York hiring managers a concrete reason to consider you ahead of other entry-level candidates.
Where can I find and apply to pacu nurse jobs in New York?
You can find and apply to pacu nurse jobs in New York on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 31 PACU Nurse Jobs in New York
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