PACU Nurse Jobs in North Carolina
PACU Nurse jobs in North Carolina are in strong and consistent demand, concentrated across major health systems, academic medical centers, and surgical specialty practices, with openings available from new-graduate recovery nurses through senior charge and lead positions. The busiest hiring markets are Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro, where employers such as Atrium Health, UNC Health, and Cone Health maintain large perioperative programs and regularly recruit PACU-trained nurses. The most sought-after specialties include cardiac and cardiothoracic recovery, pediatric PACU, and high-acuity post-surgical care. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 29+ PACU Nurse jobs
- Schedule: Shift can be anywhere within a window of 7:30A-7:30P, M-F. Shifts can be 8, 10 or 12 hours depending on the need. No call required. Please note: there is no set schedule or guaranteed hours for PRN, PRN staff are asked to sign up for shifts to fill in any staffing gaps, schedule done on a 6 week time tract. Estimated department need is based on volume.
- Department: Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and pre-op. Employee will be cross trained to each phase of care.
- Requirements: At least one year of either prior PACU or pre-op experience required for this PRN position.
- Location: Kernerville Medical Center, Kernersville, North Carolina
- Education:4 Year / Bachelors Degree, preferred. Graduate of an accredited school of nursing required. If your RN nursing license has been inactive, retired or lapsed for five years or more and you have not been licensed in another state during the last five years, successful completion of a Board approved refresher course is required prior to reactivating or reinstating your license. In order to be considered for current licensure status, you must apply for reinstatement within one year of completing the refresher course.
- Experience: One year relevant experience, preferred.
- Licensure/Certification: RN licensure in appropriate state, required.
- Conduct comprehensive pre-operative nursing assessments, including medical history, allergies, medications, and baseline vital signs.
- Initiate and maintain intravenous access and administer pre-operative medications as ordered & manage post-operative pain, nausea, vomiting, and other recovery-related symptoms.
- Prepare patients for surgery by providing education regarding procedures, anesthesia, recovery expectations, and post-operative care.
- Monitor airway patency, respiratory status, oxygenation, circulation, neurological status, and pain levels during recovery.
- Perform ongoing post-anesthesia assessments and recognize complications requiring intervention
- Schedule: Shift can be anywhere within a window of 7:30A-7:30P, M-F. Shifts can be 8, 10 or 12 hours depending on the need. No call required. Please note: there is no set schedule or guaranteed hours for PRN, PRN staff are asked to sign up for shifts to fill in any staffing gaps, schedule done on a 6 week time tract. Estimated department need is based on volume.
- Department: Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and pre-op. Employee will be cross trained to each phase of care.
- Requirements: At least one year of either prior PACU or pre-op experience required for this PRN position.
- Location: Kernerville Medical Center, Kernersville, North Carolina
- Education:4 Year / Bachelors Degree, preferred. Graduate of an accredited school of nursing required. If your RN nursing license has been inactive, retired or lapsed for five years or more and you have not been licensed in another state during the last five years, successful completion of a Board approved refresher course is required prior to reactivating or reinstating your license. In order to be considered for current licensure status, you must apply for reinstatement within one year of completing the refresher course.
- Experience: One year relevant experience, preferred.
- Licensure/Certification: RN licensure in appropriate state, required.
- Conduct comprehensive pre-operative nursing assessments, including medical history, allergies, medications, and baseline vital signs.
- Initiate and maintain intravenous access and administer pre-operative medications as ordered & manage post-operative pain, nausea, vomiting, and other recovery-related symptoms.
- Prepare patients for surgery by providing education regarding procedures, anesthesia, recovery expectations, and post-operative care.
- Monitor airway patency, respiratory status, oxygenation, circulation, neurological status, and pain levels during recovery.
- Perform ongoing post-anesthesia assessments and recognize complications requiring intervention
See All 29 PACU Nurse Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find PACU Nurse JobsPACU Nurse Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
PACU Nurse Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in PACU nurse jobs across North Carolina.
- Active registered nurse license issued or recognized by the North Carolina Board of Nursing
- Current BLS certification required, with ACLS certification strongly preferred or required
- Minimum one to two years of PACU, critical care, or perioperative nursing experience
- CPAN or CAPA certification preferred, especially for senior or lead PACU positions
- Proficiency with post-anesthesia assessment, airway management, and hemodynamic monitoring
- Experience with electronic health record systems such as Epic or Meditech in a clinical setting
PACU Nurse Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a pacu nurse in North Carolina?
To become a pacu nurse in North Carolina, you must hold an active registered nurse license issued by the North Carolina Board of Nursing, obtained by passing the NCLEX-RN after completing an accredited associate or bachelor's degree nursing program. Most North Carolina hospitals require candidates to complete an employer-based PACU orientation, and many prefer applicants who already hold ACLS certification. Earning the CPAN credential through the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification strengthens your candidacy considerably.
How much do PACU nurses make in North Carolina?
PACU nurses in North Carolina earn a median of about $84,350 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $67,660 for the lowest 10% to over $110,220 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire pacu nurses in North Carolina?
Employers hiring pacu nurses in North Carolina right now include Advocate Aurora Health, Atrium Health, and SCA Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. North Carolina's large integrated health systems, particularly those anchored in the Charlotte and Research Triangle areas, maintain ongoing PACU recruitment due to high surgical volumes across their hospital campuses.
Which North Carolina cities have the most pacu nurse jobs?
The North Carolina cities with the most pacu nurse openings are Charlotte, Asheville, and Lexington. Charlotte leads because of the dense concentration of Atrium Health facilities and large surgical centers, while Raleigh and Durham benefit from UNC Health and Duke Health's extensive perioperative programs, which generate steady PACU demand across both urban and surrounding suburban campuses.
How can I get hired as a pacu nurse in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic path into PACU nursing in North Carolina without prior recovery experience is completing a new-graduate or nurse residency program at a large health system such as UNC Health, Atrium Health, or Novant Health, several of which offer perioperative or critical care residency tracks that can lead directly into PACU roles. Candidates coming from ICU, step-down, or emergency nursing backgrounds are frequently considered for internal transfers. Earning ACLS certification before applying and pursuing CPAN preparation signals commitment and meaningfully improves your competitiveness.
Where can I find and apply to pacu nurse jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to pacu nurse jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and credentials and apply directly to the positions that match.
See All 29 PACU Nurse Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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