OPANA Ontario Perianesthesia Nurses Association: How to become a PACU nurse

Monday, July 21, 2008

I am interested in becoming a PACU nurse. What skills or courses are required?

Thanks
Steve

OPANA Ontario Perianesthesia Nurses Association said...: There are only 3 colleges in Ontario that offer the PACU course: Algonquin in Ottawa, Mohawk in Hamilton and Georgian College in
Barrie. So training in an actual course may not be possible depending where
you live.

The best way (in my management opinion) to get into a PACU is to apply to the hospital of your choice with vacancies in the ICU. The ICU will re-train you or send you to a critical care course to refresh your skills.
After you have put in your compulsory time in the ICU (this is specific to the hospital's protocol), starting watching for positions in the PACU.

The PACU is considered a Critical Care area, and ICU skills are required, especially given that every patient should be monitored (on a cardiac monitor) postoperatively. Also many patients are ventilated
postoperatively, and many with Arterial Lines and Central/PA lines, etc.
Some can be quite unstable.

Paula,
OPANA; July 21, 2008 11:03 AM