A Pre-Op/PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) Registered Nurse (RN) plays a crucial role in the perioperative care of patients undergoing surgical procedures. Pre-Op/PACU RNs are responsible for preparing patients for surgery, providing post-anesthesia care, and monitoring patients as they recover from anesthesia. In the Pre-Op phase, they assess patients' health status, administer preoperative medications, and ensure patients are ready

The responsibilities of a Pre-Op/PACU RN are multifaceted. In the Pre-Op phase, they assess patients' medical history, verify surgical consent, start intravenous (IV) lines, administer medications, and ensure patients are physically and emotionally prepared for surgery. In the PACU phase, they monitor patients' vital signs, assess their level of consciousness, manage post-anesthesia side effects (e.g., nausea, pain), and provide a

Pros of being a Pre-Op/PACU RN include the opportunity to be involved in all stages of the perioperative process, the ability to witness the positive impact of surgical interventions on patients' health and the satisfaction of providing specialized care in critical moments. This specialty offers various career opportunities in hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and outpatient clinics. Pre-Op/PACU RNs often work