Burnt out floor nurse looking to make a change

[Momma1RN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Hello! I have 5 years of experience as a med/tele RN, ER RN and most recently charge on a busy observation/short stay unit. I have a BSN and RN-BC in cardiac vascular nursing. I am looking to make a change and many people have suggested pre-op/PACU as a good place where you can utilize your nursing knowledge and combat some of the day-to-day stuff that burns out floor nurses. Any words of advice from seasoned PACU RNs? What do you love about the job? What do you hate? Thanks!

[brownbook]

There is acute care hospital PACU/Pre op and out patient surgical centers PACU/Pre op.

Out patient is easier than acute care since the patients have to be healthy/stable enough to go home. The hours are similar to acute care but you don't have to be on call. You may find it too easy, routine, worry about losing your acute care skills.

Acute care can be intense, critically ill post op surgical patients with every drip and line you can imagine. And PACU nurses have to be on call. Which I hated, but other nurses loved the big bucks.

The hours for both are usually 6 am to 6, 7, 8, pm when OR cases run over. Both are usually closed weekends and major holidays.

You're usually only with each patient 1 - 2 hours as opposed to an 8 hour shift with the same patients and possibly facing them again the next time you work.

[brownbook]

I've loved pre op and PACU. Acute care was challenging but I was younger. I hated being on call but didn't have to do it often, greedy co-workers begged me to let them take my call.

Ambulatory, out patient, surgery, pre op and PACU is great. Less pay, lose some acute care skills, but relatively easy and great hours.