Travel PACU Registered Nurse Post-Anesthesia Care Unit RN Location: West of Albuquerque, New Mexico Contract Length: 13 Weeks Weekly Compensation: Up to $3,300, based on experience Specialty: PACU and OR Registered Nurse
Connected Health Care is seeking an experienced Travel PACU Registered Nurse (PACU RN) for a 13-week travel nursing contract in Grants, New Mexico. This opportunity is ideal for a skilled post-anesthesia care nurse who wants to advance their travel nursing career while enjoying the unique landscapes, outdoor recreation, and Southwestern culture of western New Mexico. PACU and OR nursing experience are both relevant for this opportunity. Candidates with strong Operating Room experience and a solid perioperative background are encouraged to apply. Travel PACU Registered Nurse Job Description
Provide specialized nursing care to patients recovering from anesthesia following surgical and diagnostic procedures.
Monitor patients closely during the immediate post-anesthesia recovery period.
Perform comprehensive assessments of airway, breathing, circulation, vital signs, neurological status, pain, nausea, and level of consciousness.
Recognize and respond promptly to changes in patient condition and post-anesthesia complications.
Administer medications, IV fluids, pain management therapies, and other treatments according to provider orders and facility protocols.
Monitor patients for respiratory depression, airway compromise, hemodynamic instability, bleeding, pain, nausea, and other postoperative complications.
Collaborate with anesthesiologists, surgeons, Operating Room nurses, surgical technologists, and other healthcare professionals.
Assist with airway management and emergency interventions within the nurse's scope of practice.
Provide safe and appropriate patient handoff to inpatient units, procedural areas, or other levels of care.
Educate patients and families regarding recovery, pain management, medications, activity restrictions, and discharge instructions.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of assessments, interventions, medications, and patient responses.
Follow infection-control, medication-safety, patient-safety, and regulatory standards.
Maintain a calm, organized, and patient-focused environment in a fast-paced post-anesthesia setting.
Adapt quickly to the policies, procedures, equipment, and workflow of the contracted healthcare facility.
PACU and Operating Room Experience
Previous PACU or Post-Anesthesia Care Unit experience is preferred.
Operating Room nursing experience is also encouraged, particularly for candidates with a strong perioperative background.
Experience caring for patients immediately following general, regional, or monitored anesthesia care is highly beneficial.
Strong knowledge of airway management, postoperative assessment, pain control, and recovery-room nursing is preferred.
Critical care, ICU, perioperative, or other acute-care experience may be beneficial.
Candidates should be comfortable collaborating closely with anesthesia and surgical teams.
Education and Certification Requirements
Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
Current and unrestricted Registered Nurse license eligible for practice in New Mexico.
Current BLS certification required.
ACLS certification preferred or required according to facility and unit requirements.