RN - As Needed - PACU

RN - PACU - As Needed
Bring Your Critical Care Skills to the Next Phase of the Surgical Journey

The Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) at Meritus Medical Center is seeking an experienced and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) to join our highly skilled perioperative nursing team.

As a PACU RN, you’ll care for a diverse population of surgical and trauma patients during the critical period immediately following anesthesia. This is an excellent opportunity for a nurse who enjoys a fast-paced clinical environment, values autonomy, and thrives as part of a collaborative team.

Our PACU maintains low nurse-to-patient ratios aligned with national ASPAN standards, supported by a dedicated leadership team. This structure gives our nurses the time and resources needed to provide safe, individualized, high-quality patient care.

Why This Role Matters

The transition from surgery and anesthesia to recovery is a critical part of every patient's surgical experience. PACU nurses use advanced assessment skills and clinical judgment to continuously evaluate patients, recognize changes in condition, manage pain and symptoms, and intervene quickly when needed.

As a Phase I recovery unit, our PACU provides nurses with exposure to a wide variety of surgical procedures, patient populations, and clinical conditions. You'll have opportunities to strengthen your critical care and perioperative nursing skills while learning about advancements in surgical, anesthesia, and recovery care.

Key Responsibilities 

As a PACU Registered Nurse, you will:

• Provide Phase I post-anesthesia recovery care for surgical and trauma patients


• Continuously monitor airway, respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and overall patient status following anesthesia


• Perform comprehensive nursing assessments and quickly recognize changes requiring intervention


• Manage post-operative pain, nausea, and other symptoms in collaboration with anesthesia and surgical providers


• Administer medications, treatments, and interventions according to provider orders and established protocols


• Maintain patient safety throughout the immediate post-operative recovery period


• Collaborate closely with anesthesia providers, surgeons, OR nurses, and other members of the interdisciplinary team


• Educate and support patients and families throughout the recovery process


• Provide accurate and timely clinical documentation


• Prepare and care for patients in the pre-operative holding area as needed


• Assist anesthesia providers with patient assessments and pre-procedural evaluations


• Support hospital operations by caring for critically ill patients during periods of high census

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN) required


• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred

Experience

• Minimum of one year of experience as a Registered Nurse required


• Previous PACU, ICU, Critical Care, Emergency Department, or other relevant high-acuity nursing experience preferred

Licensure & Certification 

• Current Maryland Registered Nurse (RN) license or active Compact/Multistate RN license recognized by the Maryland Board of Nursing


• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

Why Meritus Health?  

At Meritus Health, our nurses are an essential part of delivering safe, compassionate, patient-centered care to our community. As a member of the PACU team, you'll work alongside experienced nurses, anesthesia providers, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals who value communication, collaboration, and clinical excellence.

You'll also have the opportunity to: 

• Practice with a high level of clinical autonomy


• Work within low nurse-to-patient ratios aligned with ASPAN standards


• Care for a diverse surgical and trauma patient population


• Expand your knowledge of perioperative and critical care nursing


• Work closely with an experienced interdisciplinary team


• Make a meaningful impact on patients during a critical stage of their surgical experience

Ready for Your Next Nursing Opportunity?  

If you're an experienced RN who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys the combination of critical care, surgical nursing, and post-anesthesia recovery, we'd love to hear from you.

 Happy to Help

At Meritus, we believe in a collaborative and caring work environment. Interactions are an opportunity to learn, listen and to be there for one another. Therefore, we provide warm welcomes, hospitality-driven closures, and are always Happy to Help. 

As needed positions are not eligible for benefits and have a set rate of pay. If you work evenings, nights or weekends, you may be eligible for shift differential.