PACU | Registered Nurse

PACU Registered Nurse (RN) – Travel Nursing Contract in Springfield, Illinois

Experienced PACU Registered Nurse (RN) wanted for a 13-week travel nursing contract in Springfield, Illinois. Join a high-acuity Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and provide expert recovery care for adolescent, adult, pediatric, and geriatric patients in a fast-paced surgical environment.

This travel PACU nursing opportunity is ideal for an experienced critical care or post-anesthesia care nurse who values diverse surgical cases, collaborative interdisciplinary support, and safe, evidence-based patient care. Springfield offers a welcoming Midwestern community with convenient access to outdoor recreation, cultural attractions, and local dining.

PACU Travel Nurse Job Details

• Location: Springfield, Illinois
• Assignment: 13-week travel nursing contract
• Start Date: November 9, 2026
• End Date: February 8, 2027
• Weekly Estimated Pay: $1,770–$1,870
• Schedule: Three 12-hour night shifts per week, 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 a.m. (36 hours per week)
• Unit: 23-room high-acuity PACU with an average daily census of approximately 50 patients
• Patient Ratio: Approximately 1 PACU nurse to 2 patients
• Call: Up to 30 hours per six-week period
• Orientation: 36 hours, including virtual pre-start training and unit orientation
• Electronic Health Record: Cerner
• Weekend Requirement: No regular weekend requirement stated

PACU Registered Nurse Job Requirements

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license active and in hand in Illinois
• At least 2 years of critical care and/or PACU nursing experience
• Previous travel nursing experience required; first-time travelers are not accepted
• Current BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications; AHA and Red Cross certifications accepted
• Recent Phase I PACU and Phase II recovery experience in inpatient and outpatient settings, including a Level I trauma environment
• Recent experience caring for adolescent, adult, pediatric, and geriatric patients
• Proficiency with Cerner electronic health records
• Experience with airway assessment, ventilated patient care, extubation, end-tidal CO2 monitoring, chest tube management, and oral or nasal airway placement
• Experience with arterial lines, central venous pressure monitoring, dysrhythmia recognition, emergency medications, IV vasopressors, anticoagulants, and pain-management therapies
• Knowledge of preoperative and postoperative care for diverse surgical cases, including general, bariatric, orthopedic, neurological, ENT, gynecological, urological, thoracic, vascular, plastics, robotic, and endoscopic procedures
• Ability to manage post-anesthesia complications and follow malignant hyperthermia, isolation, and emergency response protocols

PACU Registered Nurse Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive pre- and post-anesthesia assessments and recovery care for patients following surgical and procedural interventions.
• Monitor airway, respiratory status, hemodynamics, neurological status, pain, sedation level, and recovery progression.
• Care for patients receiving general, regional, spinal, epidural, local, monitored anesthesia care, nerve block, and conscious sedation services.
• Recognize and respond promptly to airway compromise, dysrhythmias, hemodynamic instability, respiratory complications, and other post-anesthesia emergencies.
• Manage arterial lines, central lines, PICC lines, ports, chest tubes, wound vacs, urinary catheters, and blood product administration as indicated.
• Administer and evaluate the effectiveness of analgesics, antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants, antihypertensives, insulin therapies, emergency medications, and IV vasopressors.
• Apply safe pain-management practices, including PCA management and assessment of patients recovering from complex procedures.
• Document assessments, interventions, medication administration, and patient outcomes accurately in Cerner.
• Collaborate with anesthesia providers, surgeons, respiratory therapy, radiology, pharmacy, rapid response teams, and other interdisciplinary partners to support safe transitions of care.
• Provide clear discharge teaching and handoff communication to inpatient units, procedural areas, patients, and families.
• Participate in scheduled call coverage and support PACU safety, quality, and professional practice standards.

Apply now for this PACU travel nursing opportunity in Springfield, Illinois, and join a skilled healthcare team providing high-quality post-anesthesia care.

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.