What do you like about being PACU?

Specialties PACU

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I'm a nursing student and have recently gotten a "nursing student" position in local community hospital's out-patient surgery unit. Because I can't really circulate surgeries as a student and they're not going to pay me to just observe surgeries, I'm either going to be working in holding or recovery room. I haven't seen when things go wrong post-op, only small children with tonsillectomies having a hell of a time coming out (confused, fussy, etc) so I'm just curious as to why you chose PACU and if you would recommend it to a new grad.

A lot of people have said it's not a good idea for a new grad, but what about student nurses like the OP mentioned? (like a ESN and educator situation) I might have the same sort of opportunity...I really want it haha!

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Specializes in PACU, OR.
Maddi_Rose said:
A lot of people have said it's not a good idea for a new grad, but what about student nurses like the OP mentioned? (like a ESN and educator situation) I might have the same sort of opportunity...I really want it haha!

My word, but you are very young...how far into your training are you? As far as I understand, students do stints in the perioperative setting as part of their training, but I have absolutely no idea how it works in your country.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

Why people like PACU. Its not floor nursing... Wake up and wave goodbye to patient... :)

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GHGoonette said:
My word, but you are very young...how far into your training are you? As far as I understand, students do stints in the perioperative setting as part of their training, but I have absolutely no idea how it works in your country.

Halfway through second year ? So this would be next Summer. My main goal is to get into OR nursing but I realize that isn't really appropriate for students, but I might have an opportunity in a PAR. I may be able to get OR clinicals later but the only thing for sure is a couple of observation days in the OR next semester (bummer).

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Specializes in PACU, OR.
Maddi_Rose said:
Halfway through second year ? So this would be next Summer. My main goal is to get into OR nursing but I realize that isn't really appropriate for students, but I might have an opportunity in a PAR. I may be able to get OR clinicals later but the only thing for sure is a couple of observation days in the OR next semester (bummer).

Things are very different in America to my training back in the 80s. I did 3 months working in OR, of which a portion of the time was spent in Recovery Room. I had to circulate, and some of the students got to scrub as well. Besides that, we were pretty well left to our own devices in recovery. There was an RN in the department, but she only surfaced from her office when a patient arrived LOL. She'd ensure that the patient was extubated, then would hand over to one of us and push off again....

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Specializes in icu/er.

been working recovery on the side for about 2 months now..and i love it. pts come to you mostly asleep..if they start hurtin give them some dope and make sure they are breathing and peeing. if vss and good cough call transporters and send them on their way..heck if they look bad call the mda who is just next room over and send to icu. no 12hr icu drama of fighting like hell to keep 2 septic pt's b/p >90, no code browns q 5min like the floor and no dope heads as in the er. if a fulltime spot comes along at my real hospital i might jump at it.

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Specializes in ICU, OR.

I love the PACU! But I do not recommend it to a new grad. Nor do I think you could even get a job in a PACU without a few years of experience. I myself come from an ICU background. But I think at the very least a surgical floor experience is needed first, if not critical care.

I do see some nursing students come through. I believe they follow a patient through the OR and into PACU and see their whole day.

What I love about the PACU

They are asleep, they wake up, and I send them on their way. No emotional attachments. Rarely any family members visiting and if so it is brief. When I have a patient I don't have them more than a few hours. And when I go in the next day I don't see the same patients and family members. So a lot less emotionally draining compared to ICU. I still get some critical care patients but without as much drama.

The patients are pleasant, are thankful to their nurse which is nice. They are usually happy to have their surgery over with and just want to move on. I receive many more genuine thank yous than I ever did in ICU. Of course there are unpleasant patients and days where you are stressed - it's a nursing job after all. But it's definitely my favorite area to work in by far.

Also, you can't beat less weekends and holiday commitment. We only take weekend call when we want to really, and one holiday on call a year. :up:

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When you have a demanding or diffucult to deal with patient, you only have to deal with them for an hour or two, not for the whole shift.

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Specializes in ICU, OR.
Maddi_Rose said:
Halfway through second year ? So this would be next Summer. My main goal is to get into OR nursing but I realize that isn't really appropriate for students, but I might have an opportunity in a PAR. I may be able to get OR clinicals later but the only thing for sure is a couple of observation days in the OR next semester (bummer).

Goal is to be an OR nurse but have a chance to be in recovery? Seems a little backwards. Where I work the OR nurses have minimal need for experience and don't need ACLS certification bc anesthesia is always there. PACU nurses need a good amount of critical care experience, and ACLS certification.

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