HELP! Introvert nurse looking into PACU

Specialties PACU

Published

I am exploring a nursing specialty that would fit my personality and I am quite an introvert. I was an LPN to for two years in LTC. Now I am a new grad RN that started on a Med/Surg-Tele floor at a small rural hospital. I really do not like interacting with family members, the politics of nursing (who's a better nurse), nor small talk with co-nurses who talk about each other all day. I do not like the constant admissions for people who really do not need to be admitted but only seek pain management (drug users). I plan on trying to commit to at least a year of this war zone Med/Surg then take a critical care course before applying.

My ideal environment would be me and my patient, steady work flow where I wont be bored to death, minimal supervision, a co-worker or two near by "just in case". I really do like the critical thinking and caring part of nursing but not where everyone one wants a piece of me or where a code may happen often. I like to take care of my patient one on one with out somebody staring me down or looking for a friend. Sorry if I may sound mean but I'm really not, I just like my solitude.

Do PACU nurses have to do full admissions and discharges like the floor nurses?

Just wondering because of the high patient turnover in PACU.

How is the pay for nurses without PACU experience? (Anyone in Florida)

P.S. I am looking into PACU for a larger hospital inpatient/Trauma setting

Thank you.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

I'm an introvert as well and I do home health now and actually really enjoy it! I do intermittent home health care so it's often just me and the patient (maybe their spouse) discussing their meds and disease processes so I don't have to do much chit chat if I can keep the conversation about their health. Even if family is there also they often ask a few questions about this or that and are appreciative of any help.

In an 8 hour day we see 5-6 patients a day (if they're regular visits) and between visits I have audiobooks, my iPod, podcasts, etc. to listen to.

When you calculate all of this I really only deal with patients face to face about 3-4 hrs per day :)

Just another avenue to consider!! If you get a good agency it's really a pretty nice gig.

OH! And as far as critical thinking--it's totally there in home health just in a different way. When you get out to a home and a pt's BP is 230/110 because he hasn't had his meds because he can't read the bottles it gets a little interesting.....and you've gotta think of a way to truly help these patients live and manage their issues!!

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Specializes in Peds PACU & Peds Psych.

I do think PACU is good for introverts. I spend most of my day isolated with just the patient I'm recovering. The only interaction I have as far as families is that I do pre-anesthesia education and consent signing. But that makes up such a small amount of time.

I started in PACU as a new grad with no experience at $36/hr (in Georgia).

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Hi afterseason,

What type of setting are you in? Hospital or outpatient?

Do you have to do admissions and discharges for each patient?

Can you tell me anything else that I may want to know or watch out for since I am an introvert?

Thank you for replying

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I have thought about home health but I don't think that is for me.. thank you though

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I am wondering how many patients do you recover at a time. I have been in the ER for 10 years and I' am looking to get out because when we are a nurse or 2 down it is expected that I pick up those rooms and it is not safe. I don't mind picking up an extra 3-4 patients but 6 on top my 4 is too much. I am looking into PACU but I don't want to be in the same boat expected to provide care for more patients than is safe.

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Specializes in Pediatrics and PACU.

I recently moved to the PACU from a Pediatric Step down unit. I was definitely feeling the wear and tear of the psychosocial side of the peds critical care setting. In my current role I never have more than 2 patients at any one time and only one patient if an artificial airway is present. By the time that the patient is awake enough for the social drama to be an issue I am transferring them to stage 2 or the floor. Works out nicely given my introverted tendencies.

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This sounds like it is for me! Thanks friend.

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