PACU vs OR

LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN · May 17, 2017

or should I go the OR and become an OR Nurse and then transition later to PACU???? I would appreciate any advice that Anyone has to give me!!!!!!!

brownbook · May 19, 2017

I think your skills, job experience, make you a perfect PACU candidate. I can't think of any more you you need to have.

OR and PACU are really different types of nursing. In my mind the OR nurses focus, "patient", is the surgeon, anesthesiologists, scrub tech, etc. They are who you are focused on, they are who you support so they can provide good patient care. You don't have a lot of direct patient interaction.

PACU you are more on your own, independant, and completely patient focused.

Apply for both and see what they offer?

LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN · May 23, 2017

Thank you for your response.... Do you think it would be beneficial if I sign up for the critical care course offered by my hospital..... I was looking at one of the requirements for PACU....... I know for the OR Program they talk about Anesthesia and Malignant Hyperthermia as part of the OR Program....

brownbook · May 23, 2017

The critical care course, any nursing/medical classes, are great for any nurse at any time. However I think your first next step would be to talk to the OR or PACU unit manager. Are they hiring, are you qualified, what courses do they suggest, etc.

LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN · May 24, 2017

The critical care course, any nursing/medical classes, are great for any nurse at any time. However I think your first next step would be to talk to the OR or PACU unit manager. Are they hiring, are you qualified, what courses do they suggest, etc.

I sure will reach out to them!!!!!!! Thank you soooooooooooo much:)

offlabel · May 27, 2017

OR nurses take care of the people that take care of the patient. It's a critical role and it is a vast departure from any other kind of nursing.

HeySis, BSN, RN · May 27, 2017

I know that our OR nurses go through a six month orientation! There is so much for them to learn (all the names of the instruments, dressings and what each surgeon likes to use for each type of case and how to get your hands on it quick when they change their minds mid case, how to scrub and drape for each type of surgery, and sometimes they scrub in... are some I can think of off the top of my head, just from listening in) I could certainly not float over to their unit and do their job.

Neither are the OR nurses comfortable in the PACU, they will come in on call to be a second nurse... but they mainly act as a tech and grab the warm blankets or another bag of fluid. If you need them to perform a jaw thrust you'll have to show them how and spell them out (it's hard and tiring until you do it all the time).

What we do is so vastly different, but we are definitely part of the same team. Your critical care experience and ability to be independent are great qualities in the PACU. But it's not fast paced all the time (thank goodness). And though I work more hands on with the patients, they are more likely to remember their OR nurse that introduced herself (himself) before the anesthesia or pain meds, then they will me.

If there are job openings and you have reached out the managers of those units, you could ask if you can get into OR scrubs and shadow for a day in each unit (on your own time) and get a look at what they both do for yourself.

LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN · May 29, 2017

I know that our OR nurses go through a six month orientation! There is so much for them to learn (all the names of the instruments, dressings and what each surgeon likes to use for each type of case and how to get your hands on it quick when they change their minds mid case, how to scrub and drape for each type of surgery, and sometimes they scrub in... are some I can think of off the top of my head, just from listening in) I could certainly not float over to their unit and do their job.
Neither are the OR nurses comfortable in the PACU, they will come in on call to be a second nurse... but they mainly act as a tech and grab the warm blankets or another bag of fluid. If you need them to perform a jaw thrust you'll have to show them how and spell them out (it's hard and tiring until you do it all the time).
What we do is so vastly different, but we are definitely part of the same team. Your critical care experience and ability to be independent are great qualities in the PACU. But it's not fast paced all the time (thank goodness). And though I work more hands on with the patients, they are more likely to remember their OR nurse that introduced herself (himself) before the anesthesia or pain meds, then they will me.
If there are job openings and you have reached out the managers of those units, you could ask if you can get into OR scrubs and shadow for a day in each unit (on your own time) and get a look at what they both do for yourself.

Thank you very much...... I have reached out to the PACU Manager..... Very receptive and she will allow me to shadow next month... I am very excited about it!!!!! The OR Manager is on Vacation and will be back in June... I will reach out to her once she returns.... But; I am very excited about shadowing in the PACU in June!!!! I can't waití ½í¸Ší ½í¸Š

LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN · May 29, 2017

OR nurses take care of the people that take care of the patient. It's a critical role and it is a vast departure from any other kind of nursing.

Thank you so much for responding..... I appreciate it very much!!!!