Travel PACU Nurse Jobs 2026
10 open Post-Anesthesia Care Unit assignments averaging $2,154/week. Day/evening schedule — PACU follows OR hours, not overnight hospital shifts.
PACU Is Primarily a Day/Evening Specialty — OR Hours Drive the Schedule
PACU operates when surgery is running — typically 6am to 10pm at most facilities. For travel nurses who prefer day/evening shifts without mandatory overnight rotations, PACU is one of the most schedule-friendly hospital specialties. Large academic centers and Level I trauma hospitals do have 24/7 PACU coverage — check your specific contract for expected shift hours.
Open Travel PACU Assignments
Updated every 4 hours. Phase I and Phase II PACU positions across the US.
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Hackensack, NJ · 13 wks · Variable Shift 12 hrs
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Hilo, HI · 13 wks · Variable Shifts 10 hrs
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Elko, NV · 13 wks · Variable Shift 12 hrs
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Hilo, HI · 13 wks · Variable Shift 12 hrs
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Lancaster, OH · 13 wks · 08:30 AM TO 06:00 PM
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Chattanooga, TN · 13 wks · 12hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Chattanooga, TN · 13 wks · 12hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Smyrna, TN · 13 wks · 12hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Smyrna, TN · 13 wks · 12hr Days
Healthcare Travel Assignment
Sachse, TX · 13 wks · 05:30 AM TO 03:30 PM
States Hiring Travel PACU Nurses
Travel PACU Nurse Pay by Facility Type
| Facility / Program Type | Weekly Pay | Typical Hours | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Medical Center / Level I Trauma | $2,800–$3,400/wk | 24/7 coverage required | Highest acuity — cardiac, thoracic, trauma post-op |
| High-Volume Surgical Hospital | $2,600–$3,200/wk | 6am–10pm typically | High case volume; robotics/minimally invasive common |
| Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) | $2,400–$2,900/wk | 6am–6pm (no overnight) | Phase II focus; lower acuity; day-only schedule |
| Community Hospital PACU | $2,200–$2,700/wk | 6am–8pm typically | General surgery cases; good for first-time PACU travelers |
| Cardiac/Thoracic Surgery PACU | $2,700–$3,300/wk | Varies | ICU-adjacent acuity; hemodynamic monitoring expertise required |
| Crisis / Rapid Response PACU | $3,000–$3,800/wk | Varies by need | Short-notice surgical surge; NLC Compact preferred |
PACU Certifications That Increase Travel Pay
Required for All PACU Contracts
- BLS (AHA)— Must be current at contract start
- ACLS— Required — post-anesthesia emergencies demand rapid response
- 2 Years PACU Experience— OR or ICU background strongly preferred
- Airway Management Skills— Oral/nasal airway, BVM, LMA management
- PALS (for peds-inclusive PACU)— Required if facility recovers pediatric patients
Certifications That Add Pay
- +$CPAN (Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse)+$150–$250/wkABPANC board cert — gold standard for PACU
- +$CAPA (Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia)+$100–$200/wkABPANC cert for Phase II/ambulatory PACU
- +$CNOR+$100–$150/wkOpens PACU + OR combination assignments
- +$CCRN+$100–$150/wkICU cert valued for high-acuity cardiac PACU
PACU Nursing Skills That Transfer Across Facilities
Anesthesia Emergence Management
- •Airway assessment and management
- •Anesthesia reversal protocol
- •Shivering and hypothermia management
- •Post-op nausea/vomiting (PONV)
- •Delayed emergence recognition
Hemodynamic Monitoring
- •Arterial line management
- •Post-op hemodynamic instability
- •Vasopressor/inotrope administration
- •Cardiac arrhythmia recognition
- •Pain management algorithms
Discharge Readiness Assessment
- •Modified Aldrete Scoring
- •Phase I to Phase II transfer criteria
- •Home readiness criteria for ASC
- •Regional anesthesia assessment
- •Patient/family education at discharge
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel PACU nurses make per week?
Travel PACU nurses average $2,154/week in 2026. Community hospital PACU pays $2,200–$2,700/week. High-volume surgical centers and academic medical centers pay $2,700–$3,200/week. CPAN-certified nurses earn $150–$250/week more than uncertified peers.
Do PACU nurses work nights?
PACU is primarily a day/evening specialty — surgery schedules drive PACU hours, typically 6am–10pm. However, 24/7 coverage is required at academic medical centers and Level I trauma hospitals where emergency surgery runs overnight. Travel contracts specify expected shift hours.
What experience is required for travel PACU nursing?
2 years PACU experience is standard. OR or ICU background is strongly preferred — PACU sits at the intersection of both specialties. Travel PACU nurses must manage rapid anesthesia emergence, airway complications, hemodynamic instability, and pain — often simultaneously across multiple patients.
What is the difference between Phase I and Phase II PACU?
Phase I PACU cares for patients immediately emerging from anesthesia — highest acuity, 1:1 or 1:2 ratio. Phase II PACU manages ambulatory surgery patients preparing for home discharge — lower acuity, 1:3 to 1:5 ratio. Travel contracts specify which phase and ratio is expected.
Apply for Travel PACU Assignments
10 open positions. Day/evening schedule. CPAN certification maximizes pay.
Apply for PACU Travel Jobs