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Prn Pacu Rn Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Description Join our ASC Team at our Triangle Surgery Center as a Pre-op/PACU/PAT RN and Enjoy Work Life Balance Emerge is committed to being the trusted leader in innovative, quality-focused ...

Description Join our ASC Team at our Triangle Surgery Center as a Pre-op/PACU/PAT RN and Enjoy Work Life Balance Emerge is committed to being the trusted leader in innovative, quality-focused ...

Description Join our ASC Team at our Triangle Surgery Center as a Pre-op/PACU/PAT RN and Enjoy Work Life Balance Emerge is committed to being the trusted leader in innovative, quality-focused ...

With offices across North Carolina, our Triangle Region is seeking a dedicated Pre-op/PACU/PAT RN to join our team at Triangle Surgery Center. The primary objective of this position is to ensure the ...

With offices across North Carolina, our Triangle Region is seeking a dedicated Pre-op/PACU/PAT RN to join our team at Triangle Surgery Center. The primary objective of this position is to ensure the ...

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Prn Pacu Rn information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$878

$2.3K

$3.4K

How much do prn pacu rn jobs pay per week?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average weekly pay for prn pacu rn 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 PRN PACU RN?

A PRN PACU RN is a Registered Nurse who works on an as-needed basis ('pro re nata') in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Their main responsibility is to monitor and care for patients as they recover from anesthesia following surgery. PRN nurses do not have a set schedule, providing flexibility for both the nurse and the healthcare facility. PACU RNs assess vital signs, manage pain, watch for post-surgical complications, and provide patient and family education about recovery. This role requires strong assessment skills and the ability to respond quickly to changes in patients’ conditions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PRN PACU RN?

To thrive as a PRN PACU RN, you need expertise in post-anesthesia care, patient monitoring, and acute assessment, supported by an active RN license and experience in perioperative or critical care settings. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification, and monitoring equipment is typically required. Strong communication, quick decision-making, and the ability to remain calm in urgent situations are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills ensure safe, efficient recovery for patients after surgery and support seamless collaboration in a high-acuity environment.

What are the typical challenges faced by a PRN PACU RN, and how can they be managed effectively?

As a PRN PACU RN (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Registered Nurse), one common challenge is adjusting quickly to varying patient needs and fluctuating caseloads, since shifts may be irregular and patient acuity can change rapidly. Effective time management and strong communication skills are essential, as you'll often collaborate with anesthesiologists, surgeons, and the core PACU team to ensure safe patient recovery. Familiarizing yourself with the specific protocols and equipment in each facility can help you adapt quickly when called in. Building rapport with the regular staff also makes transitions smoother and enhances patient care.

What is the difference between Prn Pacu Rn vs Prn Surgical Technologist?

AspectPrn Pacu RnPrn Surgical Technologist
CertificationsRN license, CPR, possibly ACLSCertified Surgical Technologist (CST), CPR
Work EnvironmentPost-anesthesia care units, hospitalsOperating rooms, surgical centers
Job RoleMonitoring patients post-surgery, vital signs, recovery carePreparing operating rooms, assisting during surgeries

Prn Pacu Rns and Prn Surgical Technologists both work in surgical settings but have different roles. Prn Pacu Rns focus on patient recovery after anesthesia, requiring RN licensure, while Prn Surgical Technologists assist in preparing and supporting surgical procedures. Their certifications, work environments, and responsibilities differ, making each role unique within the surgical team.

Are PRN PACU RNs in demand?

PRN PACU RNs are in demand due to the need for flexible staffing in post-anesthesia care units. Hospitals and surgical centers often seek experienced RNs with certifications like ACLS and BLS to fill PRN shifts, especially during staffing shortages or high patient volumes.

Do PRN PACU RNs make more money?

PRN PACU RNs typically earn higher hourly rates compared to full-time staff due to their flexible schedule and on-demand work. However, their overall income may vary based on hours worked, location, and experience. They often receive additional compensation for on-call or emergency shifts.

What are popular job titles related to Prn Pacu Rn jobs in Raleigh, NC?

For Prn Pacu Rn jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Prn Pacu Rn jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Prn Pacu Rn jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

Infographic showing various Prn Pacu Rn job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% As Needed, 50% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $117,513 per year, or $56.5 per hour.

Registered Nurse Post Anesthesia Care Unit PACU

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Durham, NC • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


Veterans Health Administration rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 1,006 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

64th of 893 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Summary
The Durham VA Health Care System is seeking highly dedicated Registered Nurses to join the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Team. The Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients. The PACU is a 12-bed unit, with 5 beds designated for Phase I recovery and 8 beds for Phase II.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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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.
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: 8 to 12 Hour shifts, Monday-Friday ( Compressed Tours)
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
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
  • English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
  • Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).
  • Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.)
NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification.
Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13031583.
Grade/Level
Scope
Education
Nurse I, Level I
Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies.
An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required.
Nurse I, Level II
Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex.
An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required.
Nurse I, Level III
Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations.
An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.
Nurse II
Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.
A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience.
Nurse III
Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.
MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III.
*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • A minimum two years of successful critical care nursing practice
  • Excellent interpersonal, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work effectively under pressure handling multiple inputs and task simultaneously
  • Demonstrated effectiveness in emergency situations.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, both legs and repeated bending. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours); Pushing (up to 4 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 8 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters; Correctable vision :20/40 in one eye; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders; Emotional and Mental Stability: The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.
Education
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Preferred Level of Education:
  • BSN
Preferred Certications:
  • ACLS
  • CCRN

Additional information
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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About Veterans Health Administration

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, serving millions of Veterans each year. Located in Phoenix, AZ, and many other parts of the US, the VHA operates under the Department of Veteran Affairs, as suggested by their official website va.gov. The VHA is dedicated to providing the highest level of comprehensive care to its veterans. The organization offers a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care, including mental health services, research, and pharmacy benefits.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Phoenix, AZ, US