Travel Registered Nurse PACU Job

TLC Healthforce•Gunnison, CO

About The Position

Step into a transformative role as a Registered Nurse in PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) in Gunnison, Colorado, where your clinical expertise and compassionate leadership will guide patients from the delicate land of anesthesia to clear, confident recovery. This multi-week assignment begins on January 26, 2026, offering you the chance to shape outcomes, refine your PACU competencies, and experience the gratification that comes from delivering safe, patient-centered care at one of the most critical transition points in perioperative medicine. In this environment, you’ll monitor airway patency, ventilation, circulation, pain control, and sedation levels, perform timely assessments, administer medications as ordered, manage IV therapy and antiemetic plans, and collaborate closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and bedside teams to ensure smooth handoffs. Your meticulous documentation, adherence to infection control, and proactive communication will help patients recover with dignity and comfort. Beyond the patient room, you’ll join a mission-driven community that values your professional voice and your commitment to excellence. And because the beauty of Colorado is part of the experience, you’ll have ample opportunities to explore iconic landscapes—think the rugged splendor of the Rocky Mountains, outdoor adventures on the nearby trails, and the peaceful charm of Western Slope communities—providing balance and inspiration between shifts as you connect with nature’s healing power. If you’re seeking variety within a cohesive team, this agency also offers the prospect to work across multiple locations in the U.S., broadening your clinical perspective while maintaining the stability of a trusted partner. Gunnison, Colorado, sits amid a landscape of dramatic peaks, clear skies, and welcoming neighborhoods. Working here means more than a job; it’s a gateway to exceptional quality of life and continuous professional enrichment. The region provides direct access to outstanding outdoor recreation—from hiking and mountain biking to seasonal skiing—allowing you to unwind in nature after demanding shifts. Gunnison’s small-town ambiance fosters strong teamwork, open communication, and a supportive medical community, where you’re known by your colleagues and celebrated for your expertise. Colorado itself is renowned for its outdoor diversity, from alpine vistas to serene river valleys, and the opportunity to engage with patient populations across a spectrum of perioperative settings. For nurses who appreciate variety, this assignment comes with the potential to extend your reach to additional U.S. locations through the same agency, offering varied hospital cultures, patient populations, and clinical challenges, all under a framework that emphasizes safety, consistency, and professional growth. As the PACU RN on this contract, your core responsibilities will center on ensuring rapid, accurate recovery care for post-anesthesia patients. You will perform immediate post-exposure assessments, monitor airway integrity, oxygenation, hemodynamics, and pain scores, and respond swiftly to any respiratory or cardiovascular changes. You’ll manage IV medications, analgesia, antiemetics, and reversal agents as prescribed, maintain accurate hemodynamic monitoring, and utilize standardized recovery pathways to determine readiness for discharge from PACU or transfer to a unit, all while maintaining meticulous handoffs to the next care team. Documentation will reflect every nuance of recovery, from vital trends to sedation levels and discharge criteria. You’ll collaborate with anesthesia providers and surgeons to interpret intraoperative events that impact recovery trajectories and participate in debriefings and quality improvement initiatives. The role also presents a clear path for professional development: you’ll gain exposure to diverse surgical specialties, expand your critical care assessment skills, and have access to targeted training that supports certification goals, leadership preparation, and cross-training opportunities within perioperative services. Our partner organization is built on a foundation of empowering nurses to advance their careers while maintaining a supportive, collaborative work environment. They prioritize ongoing professional development, mentorship, and recognition of the essential role that travel nurses play in expanding access to high-quality perioperative care. The culture emphasizes respect, inclusion, and open communication, with a commitment to providing resources—clinical, educational, and logistical—that enable you to perform at your best. By prioritizing staff well-being, clear pathways for advancement, and a team-based approach to patient outcomes, the company creates a sustainable framework for career growth and personal fulfillment. If you’re ready to apply your PACU expertise in a setting that blends professional challenge with scenic wonder, this is your moment. Join a company that values your contributions, supports your development, and stands with you as you navigate new facilities and communities across the country. Take the next step to elevate patient recovery, broaden your clinical horizons, and enjoy a rewarding travel nursing experience rooted in care, growth, and adventure.

Responsibilities

Ensuring rapid, accurate recovery care for post-anesthesia patients
Perform immediate post-exposure assessments
Monitor airway integrity, oxygenation, hemodynamics, and pain scores
Respond swiftly to any respiratory or cardiovascular changes
Manage IV medications, analgesia, antiemetics, and reversal agents as prescribed
Maintain accurate hemodynamic monitoring
Utilize standardized recovery pathways to determine readiness for discharge from PACU or transfer to a unit
Maintain meticulous handoffs to the next care team
Documentation will reflect every nuance of recovery, from vital trends to sedation levels and discharge criteria
Collaborate with anesthesia providers and surgeons to interpret intraoperative events that impact recovery trajectories
Participate in debriefings and quality improvement initiatives