From ER to PACU ?

[CherRN]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to Allnurses.com and want to say HELLO ! I was searching the net for information about PACU. I'm moving to northern California and since I'll be looking for a new job decided to try a new area---Like PACU. I'm currently an RN in the Emergency Dept. but I am over the Trauma and Peds.

Anyone have any advice or comments? What do you think? Any trouble ahead?? I've been reading the posts and find them very insightful. Thank you all.

[sharann, BSN, RN]

Hi Cheri,

I think that if you are over the trauma and such you might like PACU but make sure it is not in a Trauma facility! Thae pace is similar to the ER at times in the PACU(quick bed turnovers and such) and we have to be able to quickly respond to and resolve patient deterioration. I believe if you like the quick pace without all the drama, you will like PACU. If you can find a nice small to medium sized hospital who will recognize your worth and train you you will be set. Good luck.

Peds is part of it though, but most of ours are well kids(tonsils and ear tubes and appendectomies)

[CherRN]

Thanks for your response Sharann. I have just applied today to a PACU opportunity so I'm excited and a little fearful. Opps !! it is a Level 1 Trauma Center. I thought they would go directly to ICU if they were a critical trauma. No??

I think I'm most worried about the Vents. Although we have ventilated patients often, RT is always in control of them. I'm gona have to drag out the resource books since I've never been good at manipulating them. Well, I'll worry more if I get an interview I guess.

Cher

[suzanne4, RN]

Some patients will go to ICU directly, provided that they have a bed available, if they do not, then they are in the PACU until a bed is ready.

Remember that the PACU can also be treated and considered an overflow ICU in many institutions.

[sharann, BSN, RN]

Thanks for your response Sharann. I have just applied today to a PACU opportunity so I'm excited and a little fearful. Opps !! it is a Level 1 Trauma Center. I thought they would go directly to ICU if they were a critical trauma. No??

I think I'm most worried about the Vents. Although we have ventilated patients often, RT is always in control of them. I'm gona have to drag out the resource books since I've never been good at manipulating them. Well, I'll worry more if I get an interview I guess.

Cher

ICU paients are frequently brought to PACU first, sometimes on vents but not often. Vent patients are handled by the RT at our place too however I found that the RTs are the best teachers. I feel that we must know how to troubleshoot in case RT not available. I actually find that vented patients are safer than nonvented ones at times! The vents seem scary at first, but the screaming bleeding 3 year old tonsillectomy patients are scarier for me!

Good for you in applying. Again, you have ER experience which will help more than you know.

[amnesia]

We have several nurses in our PACU that came from ER and they are all very proficient and skilled nurses in the recovery setting. The turnover/acuities are very similiar. Vents can be intimidating but remember that their airway is already PROTECTED if they are tubed so thats more than half the battle right there. There is also always lots of other nurses/MDs within shouting distance if you ever need help. Best of luck with you application/interviews. I hope you will enjoy PACU-- I think you will find that your experience will be very valuable!

[CherRN]

Thanks for encouragement Amnesia ! I haven't heard anything yet about the job but I'm still hopefull. It seems that PACU is the place to be , very competitive specialty.