Preop/PACU RN (Per Diem)

Under direction, the Nurse is responsible for providing professional direct or indirect nursing care to patients in both the preoperative and post-anesthesia phases. Preoperative nurses play a critical role in preparing patients for surgery by conducting comprehensive assessments, reviewing medications, coordinating diagnostic testing, and ensuring all necessary consent and documentation are complete. They educate patients about the surgical process and provide emotional support to reduce anxiety, while also confirming physical readiness for surgery. Following surgery, post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) nurses care for patients as they recover from anesthesia, monitoring vital signs, levels of consciousness, and overall responsiveness. Patients may experience confusion, pain, nausea, or difficulty breathing, and may not be able to clearly communicate their needs. This role demands quick decision-making in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment to ensure patients safely regain consciousness and stabilize after surgery.