Specialty Requirements
- Degree
- Associate's Degree in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science {Some Hospitals may hire you under the condition that you will get your BSN within a designated amount of time.}
- Certifications
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Characteristics
- Critical thinking skills
- Observant
- Time-management
- Quick Learner
- Organizational skills
- Good communication skills
- Independent but also a good team player
- Knowledgeable of Disease processes
- Prioritization
- Multi-tasking
- Resilience
A Day in the Life
- Patient Population
- Age can depend on the practice setting
- Knowledgeable areas depending on the practice setting may include surgeries such as: Appendectomy, Breast biopsy, C-section, Coronary bypass, Lower back surgery, Mastectomy, Tonsillectomy
Job Responsibilities
- Depending on the practice setting patient populations will vary so the job responsibilities/actions may change per each patient.
- Responsible for the delivery of safe, effective, and quality patient-and family centered care in the PACU setting.
- Assessing patients post surgery (e.g. NPO status) and to alleviate their concerns, with pain management being significant
- Gathering all supplies needed for the operation recovery
- Positioning and preparing patient for surgery recovery
- Monitoring patient’s vital signs to detect anomalies
- Evaluating patient during the postoperative phases
- Adhere to safety standards and precaution
- Common Medications
- General Anesthesia (Propofol); Antiemetic (Zofran; Phenergan); Anticholinergic (Atropine); Antibiotic (Ampicillin, Amoxicillin); Antidysrhythmics; (Adenosine, Digoxin); Opioid Pain Medication (Codeine, Fentanyl, Methadone, Morphine); Benzodiazepine (Diazepam, Lorazepam); Antiarrhythmics (Digoxin); Vasopressors (Dobutamine, Dopamine); Diuretics (Furosemide); Anticoagulants (Heparin); Dissociative Anesthetics (Ketamin); Beta Blockers (Labetalol, Propranolol)