PACU Registered Nurse

Trinity Health • Hartford, CT

5d

About The Position

The Registered Nurse in the Main Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center provides post-operative care for patients recovering from complex surgeries performed in the Main Operating Room of a Level 1 Trauma Center. The role provides high-acuity care for patients recovering from trauma, cardiovascular, neurological, and other critical surgeries. The nurse manages Phase 1 and Phase 2 recovery, supporting safe emergence from anesthesia, stabilization, and readiness for transfer, while collaborating with anesthesiologists, surgeons, and care teams to provide advanced interventions and uphold perioperative standards.

This is a full-time, 36-hour-per-week hourly staff RN position on a 12-hour evening shift. Shifts have variable start times of 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., or 11:00 a.m., with rotating weekends every third weekend. On-call requirements depend on unit needs and may support off shifts, such as nights. Training is not available for candidates who lack the specified ICU-level ventilated patient-care and critical-drip expertise.

The hourly pay range is $37.25–$61.75, based on working RN experience only; the range may vary by location. Unit-based specialty pay is available for experienced nurses with at least one year of RN experience. Benefits include medical, dental, prescription drug, and vision coverage; a retirement savings program with employer match; time off that may include paid time off, vacation, sick time, and holidays; tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities; basic and supplemental life and AD&D insurance; a well-being initiative; and career growth and advancement opportunities within Trinity Health Ministry/Facility.

Saint Francis Hospital, established in 1897, is a 617-bed teaching hospital and Level 1 Trauma Center in Connecticut. It is part of Trinity Health of New England and Trinity Health. The employer states its commitment to dignity, inclusion, compassionate person-centered care, and equal employment opportunity.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited nursing program with an Associate’s degree in Nursing.
• Valid Registered Nurse license in Connecticut.
• BLS/CPR certification from AHA or ARC.
• Proficiency in ASPAN standards and guidelines.
• For candidates qualifying through ICU experience: expertise in ICU-level ventilated patient care, critical drips such as vasopressors and sedatives, and strong assessment skills; training is not available for candidates without this expertise.

Nice To Haves

• One or more years of PACU experience supporting inpatient surgical recovery is ideal.
• Candidates with two or more years of ICU-level nursing experience may be considered if they meet the stated expertise criteria.
• ACLS and TNCC certifications; support is available after hire.
• At least one year of RN experience may qualify experienced nurses for unit-based specialty pay.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-acuity post-operative care for patients recovering from trauma, cardiovascular, neurological, and other critical surgeries.
• Manage Phase 1 and Phase 2 recovery, ensuring safe emergence from anesthesia, stabilization, and readiness for transfer.
• Collaborate with anesthesiologists, surgeons, and care teams to deliver advanced interventions and uphold perioperative standards.
• Participate in rotating weekend coverage every third weekend and meet on-call needs based on unit requirements.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, prescription drug, and vision coverage.
• Retirement savings program with employer match, available from Day 1.
• Day 1 time off, which may include paid time off, vacation, sick time, and holidays.
• Day 1 tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
• Basic and supplemental life and AD&D insurance.
• Well-being initiative.
• Career growth and advancement opportunities within Trinity Health Ministry/Facility.
• Unit-based specialty pay for experienced nurses with one or more years of RN experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Associate degree