PACU advice?

gentle_ben_RN, ASN · Dec 29, 2006

I made a transfer from a general surgery/tele floor to PACU in April of this year and I love it. It was intimidating at first (crans, thoracotomy, raging AAA repairs, vents, drips, ect) but I have learned a lot a learn more everyday. They will teach you everything you need to know, and eventually it will come natural to you. The best thing about PACU is that there are usually about 8 to 10 nurses right there in the room with you if your patient starts going bad. I am very fortunate to work with a great team of nurses. As long as you are willing to learn then you should do great. Good luck. I hope you love it as much as I do.

anne74 · Dec 29, 2006

Thanks for your response!

I've been in the PACU now for 2 months, and it was the best decision I ever made. I love it. The other nurses are very supportive and helpful - and much nicer. Probably because they don't work in a crazy, fast-food paced environment like on the floor.

I think PACU is one of the best nursing jobs out there. I feel guilty when I call report up to the floors - the nurses always sound so stressed and exhausted. I remember those days. Now I always get lunch, and breaks now and then. I like using my mind more to critically think and trouble-shoot potential complications. I felt like on the floor, I didn't get the chance to properly think issues through, because I was too busy running around trying to put out fires and get apple juice for angry patients. If I hadn't found the PACU, I probably would have left nursing. Hope you continue to like your PACU position - I think I'll stay here for a while.

gentle_ben_RN, ASN · Dec 29, 2006

Congratulations! I know exactly what you mean. It is hard sometimes to give report when you know the nurse on the floor is probably busy, but we have to keep in mind that we can't simply hold the patient. If the OR ever gets backed up then it can really get ugly. I don't regret working on the floor, but I sure don't miss it either. Take care.