PACU Assist

[chuckz, BSN, RN]

I just got a great job a month or so ago doing PACU assist. I am starting nursing school in the fall and I don't have any clinicals under my belt yet, so this was a shocker for me. I started out doing transport, helped out at PACU one day because they were short and have been there ever since. I am learning so much.

We assist the nurses who are providing acute care to patients that are out of surgery. We monitor vitals, do glucose testing, suction out the mouth when patient is bleeding from a tonsillectomy, get blankets, get temp, hook up ekg leads, blood pressure, run for meds for both OR and recovery, move patients from recovery to room or ambulatory, answer phones and get rooms for patients, sit in and monitor patient while nurse is doing paperwork and just generally learning as much as I can.

It's cool as I had never worked in a hospital before. I had the same apprehension that a lot of people have, "will I like it?" I definitely do. The nurses in PACU are amazing. They are willing to teach and educate me on what they are doing and how they assess patients. They are so helpful, I can't thank them enough. I told one of the nurses that I want to learn to start an IV and she told me I could try one on her. How amazing is that? I have sat in on surgery, shadowed CRNA's and have gotten great advise from all concerned.

I think that does make a difference. If you show that you are interested and motivated to learn, it really does seem to open up doors for you in a clinical setting. The doctors have all been more than willing to let me sit in on surgery when not busy and also answer questions for me...I usually have a ton.

I am just so geeked to start nursing school and learn more. My hospital offers EKG, ACLS, Vent training and hemodynamics. I am taking them all. They told me after my first clinical that I have a shot at getting an externship. I can't wait.

Just wanted to share with you my happiness in getting this position and learning. You all have a really nice board here. You make a fella feel welcome. Thank you.

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

I do not mean to seem like an evil nursing assistant in any way shape or form but you should understand your scope in your position. I have worked in PACU many times and there are certain things you can do and certain things you cant.

I would advise you not to suction patients because that is the RN's role and I would never dream of suctioning a fresh tonsilectomy (Sp?) or even a regular med/surg patient, it is beyond my scope of nursing.

And about your hospital offering EKG, ACLS, vent training and hemodynamics. I am almost positive because as a CNA/PCA I am only allowed to do EKG's the rest is an RN's or MD's scope of practice.

I would advise you to keep an eye out on what you can and cannot do because god forbid someone accuses you of going beyond your scope of practice then you might be in some serious trouble.

On a lighter note I am glad you are enjoying yourself and wish you the best of luck in Nursing School

[lucky1RN]

"if you show that you are interested and motivated to learn, it really does seem to open up doors for you in a clinical setting."

and this is why you won't be one of the many new grad posters here wondering why they can't find a job after graduation. i'm always surprised by these posts as i can't imagine making it through nursing school without using all the available networking opportunities via tech-like part time jobs, nursing faculty, and contact with hospital employees during clinicals.

sounds like you're off to a great start chuckz. your experience now will make you so much more comfortable in clinicals than many of your classmates. it will enable you to get more out of your nursing program too.

good luck and have fun!

[mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP]

Congrats!!!

I hope this job provides you with everything you desire and want and all the educational and motivational tools to get you thru your NS program & on to being a happy, safe and wonderful RN.

Good luck!!!

:clpty:

[chuckz, BSN, RN]

Thank for the replies,

Happy loser, I do understand my scope of practice, but I am going to take all the free education that I can from the hospital. Just because I am learning something, does not mean that I am going to be practicing it, it only means more information for me and hemodynamics and vents are something that I am willing to learn. I appreciate the heads up though.