From ER to PACU

Specialties PACU

Published

Hello Everyone,

I have been an RN for almost 9 years now, 6 years on Telemetry and 2 1/2 years now in the ER. Lately the ER has been a bit much for me and I am thinking of changing to PACU. I know everywhere has it's challenges but overall, is the PACU a great area to work? What are the Pros and Cons of working there? Any other tips/advice is really appreciated. Thanks.

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Specializes in PACU, ER, CICU.
Hello Everyone,

I have been an RN for almost 9 years now, 6 years on Telemetry and 2 1/2 years now in the ER. Lately the ER has been a bit much for me and I am thinking of changing to PACU. I know everywhere has it's challenges but overall, is the PACU a great area to work? What are the Pros and Cons of working there? Any other tips/advice is really appreciated. Thanks.

It sounds like you have a great foundation for a career in PACU with your ER and telemetry skills. There are various levels of recovery rooms dependent on the type of facility you are working in. Does the hospital have pediatric ICU, high risk obstetrics, neurosurgery, trauma? I have worked in a trauma center with all of these specialties and the job was fast paced, requires a high level of critical thinking skills, very stressfull at times but also rewarding. The deciding factor for me to leave the unit I worked in was the call commitment. I'm now in a recovery room where it is mostly outpatient surgery and day shifts, no weekends or call. I also worked in the ER for one year, when you say it is a bit much for you, what do you mean by that?

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Only downside is having to work weekends and lots of call (of course that is dependent on your unit). Otherwise PACU is great!

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