PACU | Registered Nurse

PACU Registered Nurse (RN) – Travel Nursing Contract in Modesto, California

Join our healthcare team as a PACU Travel Nurse in Modesto, California, with an estimated weekly pay of $2,090–$2,200 for a 13-week contract. This on-site Registered Nurse role provides pre-operative, post-operative, and post-anesthesia care for adolescent, adult, pediatric, and geriatric patients in a fast-paced perioperative environment. Modesto offers the welcoming feel of a Central Valley community, with convenient access to parks, local dining, cultural attractions, and outdoor recreation throughout the region.

PACU Travel Nurse Job Details

• Location: Modesto, California
• Weekly Estimated Pay: $2,090–$2,200
• Contract Length: 13 weeks
• Start Date: November 24, 2026
• Schedule: Five 8-hour shifts per week; 40 hours per week
• Shift: Day shifts with variable start times between 5:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; end times may be as late as 8:00 p.m.
• Weekends: No weekend shifts
• Call: No call requirement
• Patient Ratio: Approximately 1 nurse to 5 patients
• Department Setting: Pre-operative and post-anesthesia care with approximately 25 patients per day, 3 rooms, and 13 beds

PACU Registered Nurse Job Requirements

• Active California Registered Nurse (RN) license
• At least 2 years of recent Registered Nurse experience, preferably in PACU, post-anesthesia care, pre-operative, post-operative, or perioperative nursing
• Previous experience caring for pediatric and adult patients preferred
• Current BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• Previous Epic electronic health record (EHR) experience required
• Strong knowledge of airway assessment, pre-operative assessment, Phase II recovery, monitored anesthesia care, pain management, medication reconciliation, and discharge education
• Ability to work variable day-shift start times and adapt to a fast-paced procedural and surgical environment

PACU Nurse Responsibilities

• Complete pre-operative nursing assessments, review patient histories, and verify procedural consents and readiness
• Provide safe and attentive post-anesthesia and Phase II recovery care
• Monitor airway, circulation, pain, sedation, and overall patient status throughout recovery
• Administer pre-operative medications, emergency medications, reversal agents, analgesics, and other prescribed therapies
• Recognize and respond to changes in patient condition, including airway compromise, hemodynamic changes, and medication-related concerns
• Support care for patients undergoing ophthalmology, ENT, orthopedic, podiatric, and other surgical procedures
• Provide patient and family education, discharge instructions, follow-up communication, and medication reconciliation
• Accurately document assessments, interventions, reassessments, and outcomes in Epic
• Collaborate with anesthesia, procedural, surgical, and interdisciplinary teams to promote safe transitions of care

Apply now for this PACU Registered Nurse travel contract in Modesto, California, and take the next step in your perioperative nursing career.

Benefits

401K with Matching, Healthcare, Dental and Vision

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity across our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.