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I just wanted to ask you PACU nurses your opinion. When I graduated I worked for a year on a Med/Surg floor, then transferred to the ER and worked there for a little over a year. It became very unsafe in my ER with low staffing, and with the birth of my son I wanted to work days, less weekends and holidays so I transferred into an OR nurse training program 9 months ago. I don't necessarily dislike the OR. But I don't see myself there in 5 years. I can't stand the surgeons and I miss patient contact, giving meds, taking vitals, all the basic nursing skills. Before I moved into the OR I had thought about the PACU, but there were no job openings. I'm afraid that if I stay here too long, I'll lose my skills and no PACU would take me. At the same time, I haven't even worked here a year and would like to give them more time. Do you think that since I have worked in the ER, a PACU would consider me even if I worked in the OR for 2 years? Or maybe I should try to pick up a few hours in my ER just so the PACU could see that I was continuing with my critical care skills? I'm not looking to make any sudden job changes, but it's something that's been on my mind lately. Thanks!

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Specializes in general surgery/ER/PACU.

It really depends on your facility, but it sounds like you have a strong, well-rounded nursing background and would have no problem working in PACU. You should know however that OR nursing and PACU nursing are as different as night and day. My advice is to try and get into the PACU if you can, because you will love it. I know I do:)

Take care and good luck.

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Specializes in PACU, PICU, ICU, Peds, Education.
It really depends on your facility, but it sounds like you have a strong, well-rounded nursing background and would have no problem working in PACU. You should know however that OR nursing and PACU nursing are as different as night and day. My advice is to try and get into the PACU if you can, because you will love it. I know I do:)

Take care and good luck.

:yeahthat:

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Hi,

I am a PACU nurse and can definitely relate to your feelings about the surgeons. They are a different breed altogether. Request a transfer in your facility to PACU if you want to stay there. You would have no problem getting a job in an ambulatory surgery center. Send out resumes and talk to anesthesia, they usually know where there are openings because they work other places besides the hospital. IF you are interested in plastics or ortho, try talking to one of the surgeons that you like and ask them, just be discreet, you don't want to make your employer upset. Good luck

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