New Grads in the PACU

[Anjann]

I know this topic has been bopped around in here a few times, but here it goes...

I am a 35 year old, second-career, NEW grad RN with a license so new (7 days) that the ink is still wet!

I'm really interested in PACU and feel that I would be a good candidate.

If a PACU position is being advertised as "experience preferred",but does not say "required" does that mean I can apply, or is it pretty much understood that new grads just don't go straight to PACU?

I think I could market myself well if I could get an interview. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get my foot into the PACU door? I did Med/Surg briefly as an extern and I already know that I want to be in an environment where the care is more intensely focused, but the ratio is lower. I want to know what to say that would make PACU take a chance on me as a new grad.

Advice, anyone?

[RN34TX]

And another thing to think about - most ICUs and EDs will not hire new grads either. At my hospital, our ICUs and ED require at the very least one year of med/surg floor experience.

That varies by region and is dictated by the job market. For instance, it is very common for Dallas and Houston area hospitals to hire new grads straight into ICU and ER. In areas where nurses may be in less short of supply, the hospitals may be in a position to be able to only hire experienced people for those areas.

The biggest issue for me about new grads in the PACU is that during off hours like nights and weekends, there is often only a skeleton crew in the PACU and/or they are working on call. So if only two nurses are working in the PACU, then it is very important IMHO that both nurses be experienced.

It's a little easier to put a new grad in ICU if they are surrounded by other experienced nurses. That's not to say that ICU's don't sometimes hire too many new grads at once and overwhelm the experienced staff but to put a new grad alone with one experienced nurse in the PACU is most definitely not a good idea.

[gentle_ben_RN, ASN]

The biggest issue for me about new grads in the PACU is that during off hours like nights and weekends, there is often only a skeleton crew in the PACU and/or they are working on call. So if only two nurses are working in the PACU, then it is very important IMHO that both nurses be experienced.

I agree 100% with RN34TX on this subject. I work 11A-11P and there is one nurse that I work with sometimes who is 3P-11P. She is an experienced RN (in L&D) but has issues with taking the more critical cases (thoracotomy, craniotomy, AAA repair, ect) There have been times in working with her that she would totally refuse to take a post op that was still intubated and have a complete fit about it. This has been an ongoing issue that I and others have brought to the NM. She has been in PACU for a year now, part-time BTW. I just can't work PACU with someone I can't count on.

[RN Zeke]

I am a new grad, also interested in PACU, so am glad to hear all the valuable information shared. I have a back ground in surgery as a tech. so will go back to surgery as that seems to be my home.

Once again thanks for sharing the information with the new grads., we don't get all the needed skills information in the job sites for hospitals.

Cay

[hlfpnt, BSN, RN]

Is long term acute care experience with ACLS certification an acceptable back ground for PACU?

[RN34TX]

Is long term acute care experience with ACLS certification an acceptable back ground for PACU?

In my opinion, no.

And I'd like to throw in that the bulk of my nursing experience has been in long term acute care so I know what that setting is all about.

However, that is only my opinion. There are new grads with no experience at all, some of whom are my current co-workers, who were hired straight into PACU right out of nursing school. This practice is not very common at most hospitals and my co-workers who were hired straight into PACU as new grads had done so 10-15 years ago.

[macfran]

all messages in this forum is very interesting for me...i appreciate all who posted.

i'm actually a nurse who is now working for almost 2 yrs now in a med/surge unit here in the us but has been a pacu nurse for 6 yrs abroad before i came here. i'm very eager to go back to pacu. so, would i be considered for the position if they require previous experience. would my experience from abroad be significant? by the way i also have 4 yrs of experience in er.

thanks for any replies.

[gentle_ben_RN, ASN]

macfran, you shouldn't have a problem.

[SeaTracer75]

i would have to say i am in the minority here... i am a new grad, got hired into the pacu, and apparently am the first new grad to get through orientation there... one other was hired, but fired during the orientation....my orientation was 13 weeks with 2 of them in the classroom and a 5 day critical care course squeezed in... also pals and acls....

i surely wouldnt recommend it unless u are really up for a challenge...i spent many a day in tears during those 13 weeks and believe me I still do not feel anywhere near fully qualified...every day i still learn something new... even though i didnt choose that route the icu first suggestion (if possible) would make for a great transition into pacu... my weaknesses include vented patients (of which there are many) and multiple "drip" patients... i have tons of experience yet to gain but fortunately i work with a bunch of great nurses who want to help "groom me," (and also a bunch of hobbible ones who couldnt care less!)

anyway ill stop for now i could go on and on and on......

[azhiker96, BSN, RN]

I am also a new grad who hired into PACU. I am the first new grad that has been hired by my department. If I had not worked there for 3 years as a tech, I wouldn't be there now. They have given me an extra long orientation to help ensure I am successful. It's a great place to work but I would not recommend it to most new grads. Chin lifts, extubations, wrestling patients, ventilators, labetalol, versed, morphine, dilaudid, and patients from 1 month to 90 yrs old are all part of a normal day. One hour into my very first shift I was doing chest compressions on a pt who had an anaphalactic reaction to a med. (He was discharged from ICU 5 days later.) Any patient could be a breeze or scary. Without a good orientation (16 weeks in my case) I wouldn't be able to take any but the easiest patients. Anyway, I love my job and look forward to recovering people tomorrow.

[BonnieSc]

Hi, I'm a new grad with an interview for PACU coming up... this thread has definitely given me food for thought. I did my senior internship in the ER of a big trauma center, but I don't know whether that background will be enough... I'll definitely want to ask some questions about the orientation. Obviously the unit is welcoming new grads, because this job was posted specifically for new grads and they're hiring a couple of them.

[akowens]

I saw that there are a few of you that are new or newer grads that are interested in PACU. Just to let you know, I am just graduating nursing school this week and have already secured a job in the PACU at a Level 1 trauma hospital. It can be done. I just set myself up an interview, capstoned at a PACU, and they hired me! Now, just have to tackle that NCLEX! Wish me luck.

Ashley

[ava'smomRN]

After following this thread, I think I will chime in.

I did an externship in the PACU last year and was offered an RN position upon graduation and offered to stay on as a CNA. I accepted of course.

As I got closer to graduation, I got nervous and started interviewing other places.

My manger offered me 6months of orientation, critical care course, RN residency program, and excellent preceptor and very supportive, educated staff. My manager told me that she wouldn't hire new grads but I am the exception because i have been there and she thinks that I am well beyond capable.

so I will be starting in Feb 2008....