anr33

I was 21 when I graduated from a 3 year RN diploma program.

You need ACLS and PALS in my workplace. There are many prior ICU nurses with a wealth of knowledge and we use them to help with some of the more tricky situations we find at times. I LOVE my job. I have been in PACU for 7 years now. I am a "seasoned" nurse with many years behind me and several different work experiences. It is through these experiences that I feel very comfortable with what I do. I truely believe that a new nurse should have at least 1-2 years on a med/surg floor to gain experience and use the skills they learned in school. PACU jobs are hard to come by. Once you are there you stay there for a time. NO weekends (except on call every 4-5 weekends) and we rotate holidays on call because we are closed except for emergencies. That is a plus!! Don't let anyone tell you it is a piece of cake to work in this department. The main focus is the patients airway after anesthesia. It only takes a split second for something to go wrong. We are very busy most of the time. When we have down time, we try to sneak a cup of coffee or take a break Hope this helps. anr33

I work in a PACU that has about 30-40 cases/day. The visitor situation is out of control!! There is constant traffic, the receptionist is always coming in to ask if the loved one can come in yet. The doctor tells these people they can go in to see whoever in a half hour or 45 minutes. The person is at the desk in 1/2 hour asking to go in. A liasion nurse would solve most of the problems. Anyone use a liasion? And if so, how do you work it out? Thanks, anr33