Crosstraining to pacu

[joey442000]

Are there any Cirulators who have been successful with crosstraining or transfering to pacu/recovery setting after only ever working in the OR?

[suzanne4, RN]

Only after a thorough orientation, same that they would give new employees coming into the area. There are too many things that can go wrong in that environment.

Depending on the facility and types of patients that you get into PACU there, you must have ACLS as well as PALS. You must know your code drugs inside and out. You must know how to read EKGs, etc. They will also need to give you critical care experience, if you would get those types of patients.

Even though it is part of Peri-Operative Services, it is quite different from the OR, the same that the OR would be for the PACU nurse without the proper training. Just make sure that they give it to you, not just a few days of orientation.

[scrubnurse]

joey442000~

I was wondering the same. There are several PACU jobs open right now and I have considered applying for them. I am nervous because I have only worked in the OR, never on the floor. I know I would have a lot to learn.

Any advice, anyone?

[suzanne4, RN]

You need to get a good, solid orientation; not just a few days of orientation. And then, it should not be any issue at all. Just think of what you would want of a PACU RN that was going to cross train for the OR.

[scrubnurse]

Suzanne~

Thanks for replying. I know our hospital would have a long orientation. I would never think of learning any other department in just a few days...yikes! I guess my fear is ACLS, learning all the EKG stuff, codes, etc. I have only been an OR nurse, and of course we have anesthesia to depend on, so it is scary to me to step out of my comfort zone.

[suzanne4, RN]

The only reason I put all of the above in is that I have seen some hospitals try to require an OR nurse recover the patient after the procedure when they did not have any experience doing that. And they want them to have only a day of orientation, it just doesn't work that way.

I have worked both PACU and OR for years, as well as ICU, so for me it has never been a problem, and many times I would not call in the PACU RN, per pre-arrangement with them, unless they wanted to come in, especially during the night. But I feel very comfortable in both roles.

You need to do what feels right for you.

[CuttingEdgeRN]

Suzanne~

Thanks for replying. I know our hospital would have a long orientation. I would never think of learning any other department in just a few days...yikes! I guess my fear is ACLS, learning all the EKG stuff, codes, etc. I have only been an OR nurse, and of course we have anesthesia to depend on, so it is scary to me to step out of my comfort zone.

Our OR nurses have ACLS and EKG training and function very well in a code. Granted, I would also feel out of my element in the PACU and would want a solid orientation. Sometimes, we have had to recover our own patients when PACU is backed up, BUT, a competent PACU nurse is always an arms length away!

[ortess1971]

Our OR nurses have ACLS and EKG training and function very well in a code. Granted, I would also feel out of my element in the PACU and would want a solid orientation. Sometimes, we have had to recover our own patients when PACU is backed up, BUT, a competent PACU nurse is always an arms length away!

I want to get my ACLS for that reason- it would make me feel more confident as an OR nurse.