PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) Nurse

Background

A PACU nurse cares for patients who are waking up after surgery and anesthesia. They monitor vital signs like heart rate and breathing, manage pain relief, watch for complications, and help patients recover safely before moving to a regular hospital ward. This role requires quick thinking and close attention to detail to spot any problems early.

Similar Roles

Lessons to help you on this path

Matched lessons for this role are being reviewed and will appear here soon.

Next Step Roles

Charge Nurse→Perioperative Nurse Manager→Clinical Nurse Specialist→Nurse Educator

Publications

Journal of PeriAnesthesia NursingAORN Journal

Books

The Nurse's Survival Guide to Critical CarePerioperative Nursing CareUnderstanding Anesthesia

Movies

Grey's AnatomyThe Resident

Key Figures

Florence NightingaleVirginia HendersonDonna AhrensKathleen Gaberson

Classification

SIC Code8050, 8051The Standard Industry Code

Dewey Reference610.73, 617.96For looking up books in your local library

Synonyms

Recovery Room NursePost-Operative NursePerioperative NursePost-Anesthesia Nurse

Last Updated: Thursday, May 7th, 2026

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