Travel Registered Nurse PACU Job

TLC Healthforce•Carbondale, IL

21h

About The Position

Step into a pivotal PACU nursing role as a Registered Nurse in Carbondale, Illinois, where your expertise in recovery care will guide patients from the wake of anesthesia to safe, stable outcomes and reinforce their return to daily life. In this position, you will be at the forefront of post-anesthesia recovery, providing vigilant monitoring, swift assessment, and compassionate support that helps patients regain comfort and confidence as they prepare for discharge. You’ll collaborate closely with anesthesia teams, surgeons, and inpatient care staff to optimize recovery trajectories, ensure airway safety, manage pain and nausea, and document precise progress for seamless transitions. This opportunity isn’t just a job—it’s a chance to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives at times of heightened vulnerability, with every recovery serving as a testament to your skill, judgment, and bedside presence. Illinois' landscape offers more than a table of duties; it embraces you with cultures, communities, and natural splendor that enrich your daily experience. From the rolling hills and vineyards of southern Illinois to the scenic trails of Shawnee National Forest, the state offers outdoor adventures and vibrant small-town charm that complement your professional journey. Location Benefits: Carbondale blends a welcoming community with access to quality healthcare facilities and a dynamic academic environment thanks to nearby institutions. Working here means you’ll benefit from a supportive local network, streamlined orientation, and opportunities to engage with peers who share your commitment to patient-centered recovery. The region’s accessibility also allows occasional travels to other locations across the United States, opening doors to diverse hospital settings and care models that expand your clinical perspective while you maintain guaranteed hours and predictable compensation. Carbondale’s location provides convenient access to outdoor recreation, cultural events, and a cost-of-living that supports stability as you focus on clinical excellence—yet the chance to rotate to other U.S. sites keeps your professional horizon broad and exciting. If you’re drawn to exploring beyond Illinois, you’ll find a culture of collaboration that welcomes travel nurses who bring fresh insights and adaptability to varied perioperative teams. Role Specifics and Benefits: In this PACU RN role, you’ll be the cornerstone of early postoperative care. Core responsibilities include comprehensive patient assessments as anesthesia wears off, continuous vital sign monitoring, airway management readiness, and timely intervention for airway, breathing, and circulation concerns. You’ll tailor recovery plans, manage postoperative nausea and pain, support nausea control strategies, and collaborate with anesthesia and surgical teams to determine readiness for discharge to the unit or home. Documentation will reflect accurate progress notes, discharge instructions, and handoffs that prioritize patient safety. You’ll identify opportunities for process improvements in recovery pathways and mentor junior staff on best practices in PACU care. The compensation package is designed to recognize your expertise and dedication, with competitive weekly pay of $2,040–$2,148 and guaranteed hours of 36 per week. Benefits include housing assistance to ease relocation and stay, and the potential for contract extensions as facilities seek continuity with skilled PACU clinicians. A bonus structure recognizes performance and tenure, adding a meaningful incentive to your ongoing contributions. You’ll also enjoy robust support—24/7 assistance from our dedicated travel nursing team to address scheduling, logistics, clinical questions, and urgent needs—so you can focus on delivering exceptional patient care. The role also offers professional growth opportunities through exposure to varied case mixes, reputable perioperative teams, and potential advancement within our network as openings arise. Company Values: Our organization is grounded in empowering staff through opportunities for career progression, ongoing education, and a genuinely supportive work environment. We invest in your professional development with access to clinical leaders, evidence-based practice resources, and mentorship that helps you sharpen PACU competencies, expand into specialty areas, or explore leadership tracks. We recognize the contributions of travel nurses as vital partners in sustaining high-quality patient care, and we strive to create workplaces where your voice is heard, your safety is prioritized, and your well-being is a top priority. By joining us, you’ll be part of a culture that respects your expertise, values your resilience, and champions your growth every step of the way. Call to Action: If you’re motivated to advance your PACU nursing career in a role that combines clinical autonomy with strong institutional support, apply now. This is your chance to join a team that values your skills, offers competitive compensation, and provides pathways for continual development while you explore the country from the comfort of a stable assignment in Carbondale. Begin your journey on 01/21/2026 and position yourself at the nexus of exceptional patient care, professional growth, and enriching experiences across Illinois and beyond. Ready to make a lasting impact in recovery care? Apply today and embrace a collaborative, forward-thinking environment that honors your dedication and expertise. Note: Hours and pay rates listed are estimates and may vary. Final compensation packages and guaranteed hours will be confirmed during the hiring process. Privacy & Consent By applying, you agree to TLC Healthforce's Privacy Policy and consent to receive job-related text messages; message/data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out. About TLC Nursing TLC Healthforce is a nationwide travel healthcare staffing agency pairing Nursing and Allied Health professionals with high-quality travel and local contracts across the U.S. ShiftShield™ – Traveler Protection ShiftShield™ protects travelers from preventable facility-driven cancellations and ensures fair compensation for schedule disruptions. Why Travelers Choose TLC Competitive weekly pay Fast credentialing 24/7 recruiter & clinical support Nationwide assignments Referral Bonus Earn up to $1,000 per referral — no employment required. EEO Statement TLC Healthforce is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Responsibilities

Comprehensive patient assessments as anesthesia wears off
Continuous vital sign monitoring
Airway management readiness
Timely intervention for airway, breathing, and circulation concerns
Tailor recovery plans
Manage postoperative nausea and pain
Support nausea control strategies
Collaborate with anesthesia and surgical teams to determine readiness for discharge to the unit or home
Documentation will reflect accurate progress notes, discharge instructions, and handoffs that prioritize patient safety
Identify opportunities for process improvements in recovery pathways
Mentor junior staff on best practices in PACU care