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New Grad Pacu Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

O.R Staffing Solutions

Travel - PEDS PACU

Chapel Hill, NC · On-site

$2.1K - $2.2K/wk

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Pediatric PACU RN - Travel Contract | Winston-Salem, NC We are seeking an experienced Pediatric PAC ... Want to experience a new city, grow your skills in a new setting, and earn great pay doing what you ...

EmergeOrtho

Pre-op/PAT/PACU RN

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Ability to be flexible and take on new responsibilities. Responsibilities include but are not ... Provides effective patient care for the pediatric, adult and geriatric patients in PAT, PACU, Pre ...

EmergeOrtho

Pre-op/PAT/PACU RN

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Ability to be flexible and take on new responsibilities. Responsibilities include but are not ... Provides effective patient care for the pediatric, adult and geriatric patients in PAT, PACU, Pre ...

EmergeOrtho

Pre-op/PAT/PACU RN

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Ability to be flexible and take on new responsibilities. Responsibilities include but are not ... Provides effective patient care for the pediatric, adult and geriatric patients in PAT, PACU, Pre ...

EmergeOrtho

Preop/PACU RN

Raleigh, NC · On-site

We are currently looking for energetic, qualified candidates to join our Preop/PAT/PACU team! Triangle Surgery Center (TSC) is a state-of-the-art Orthopedic Facility designed with patients in mind.

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All JobsNew Grad Pacu JobsNew Grad Pacu Jobs in Raleigh, NC

New Grad Pacu information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$878

$2.3K

$3.4K

How much do new grad pacu jobs pay per week?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average weekly pay for new grad pacu in Raleigh, NC is $2,259.87, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $1,775.00 and $2,711.54 per week, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a new grad PACU nurse?

New Grad PACU nurses are newly graduated registered nurses who work in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Their primary role is to care for patients as they recover from anesthesia following surgery or other procedures. These nurses monitor vital signs, manage pain, and ensure patients safely regain consciousness. As new grads, they often receive specialized training and mentorship to help them transition into this critical care environment.

What are some common challenges new graduate nurses face when starting in the PACU, and how can they overcome them?

New grad nurses in the PACU often encounter challenges such as managing rapidly changing patient conditions, mastering post-operative assessments, and prioritizing care in a fast-paced environment. Adjusting to frequent monitoring and learning to recognize early signs of complications like airway distress or pain requires vigilance and quick decision-making. To overcome these challenges, new grads should actively seek feedback from experienced colleagues, participate in unit-specific training, and make use of mentoring programs commonly available in most hospitals. Building strong communication skills with anesthesia providers and the surgical team also supports effective patient handoffs and collaborative care.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a new grad PACU nurse, and why are they important?

To thrive as a New Grad PACU Nurse, you need a solid understanding of post-operative care, patient monitoring, and basic life support, typically supported by a nursing degree and RN licensure. Familiarity with patient monitoring systems, electronic health records (EHRs), and ACLS/PALS certifications is often required. Strong communication, critical thinking, and the ability to remain calm under pressure help new grads excel in the fast-paced PACU environment. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure patient safety, effective recovery, and collaboration with surgical and anesthesia teams.

What is the difference between New Grad Pacu vs Surgical Technologist?

AspectNew Grad PacuSurgical Technologist
Required CredentialsCPR certification, nursing degree or equivalentCertified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential, post-secondary education
Work EnvironmentPost-anesthesia care units, hospitals, clinicsOperating rooms, surgical centers, hospitals
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, outpatient surgery centers, clinicsHospitals, outpatient surgical facilities, clinics

Both roles involve patient care in surgical settings, but New Grad Pacu focuses on post-anesthesia recovery, requiring nursing or similar credentials, while Surgical Technologists assist during surgeries with specialized certifications. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right fit in healthcare environments.

Are new graduate post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) nurses in demand?

New graduate PACU nurses are in demand due to ongoing staffing needs in hospitals and surgical centers. Employers often seek candidates with strong critical thinking skills, certification such as ACLS, and the ability to work in fast-paced environments, making entry-level positions available for recent graduates.

Can a new graduate start in the post-anesthesia care unit?

A new graduate can start as a PACU nurse if they have completed necessary nursing education, obtained licensure, and have some clinical experience or training in perioperative or critical care settings. Employers often look for strong assessment skills, knowledge of anesthesia recovery protocols, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Additional certifications such as ACLS or PALS may be required or preferred for PACU roles.

What are popular job titles related to New Grad Pacu jobs in Raleigh, NC?

For New Grad Pacu jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching New Grad Pacu jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for New Grad Pacu jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for New Grad Pacu jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most New Grad Pacu job openings:

New Grad Pacu jobs near you
Infographic showing various New Grad Pacu job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 53% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 32% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,513 per year, or $56.5 per hour.

Registered Nurse Post Anesthesia Care Unit PACU

US Department of Veterans Affairs

Durham, NC • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 672 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

50th of 294 rated public sector bodies

Job description

Job Title

Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Registered Nurse (RN)

Duties

Help

Duties assigned but not limited too:

  • Providing nursing care to the patient in the immediate post anesthesia period, and transitioning them to Phase II level of care, in the inpatient setting, or to an ICU for continued care.
  • Providing post-sedation nursing care to the patient in the immediate post procedure period with an Aldretti Score of 8 or greater.
  • Managed the unit.
  • Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Registered Nurse (RN) focus is on individual growth and development in practice with increased levels of self-direction.
  • Provides specialized care in the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluation of care throughout the peri anesthesia continuum to include the Pre anesthesia Phase, Post anesthesia Phase I, Post anesthesia Phase II, and extended care from sedation/analgesia and/or anesthesia for surgical, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures.
  • The PACU RN assesses and prepare patients for procedures appropriately.
  • Performs clinical assessment of the patient and readily recognizes contraindication for anesthesia and/or surgical intervention.
  • The PACU RN applies the appropriate post sedation scoring and assesses the patient's postoperative status to include cardiovascular and respiratory systems and airway management needs, neurological system, hemodynamic stability, pain, and comfort needs and mental status, implementing appropriate interventions to maintain or return all physiological system to baseline or above.
Benefits

Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards

Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

Work Schedule: 10 Hour shifts, Monday-Friday

Compressed/Flexible: Based on the needs of the Service

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

What U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs employees say

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