PACU Nurse

HCA Healthcare; Smyrna (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Wellbeing support

401(k) with match

Job summary

TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center in Smyrna, Tennessee, seeks a PACU Registered Nurse to lead immediate post-operative care. You will manage airway support, monitor neurological and cardiac status, and respond to complications while collaborating with the surgical and anesthesia teams. On-call availability may apply during select hours.

The role emphasizes evidence-based practice, patient-centered care, and ongoing professional development within the HCA Healthcare system.

Qualifications

• ACLS must be obtained within 6 months of employment start date.
• BLS/CPR must be obtained within 30 days of start date.
• PALS must be obtained within 6 months of start date.
• RN licensure is required to practice in Tennessee.
• A BSN/ASN/MSN degree aligns with nursing responsibilities.
• Minimum 1 year of critical care (ICU/ER/PACU) experience.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality, patient-centered post-operative care.
• Assess and monitor patients' condition and respond promptly to changes.
• Educate patients and families about care and follow-up steps.
• Collaborate with surgical and anesthesia teams for safe recovery.
• Maintain accurate documentation of care provided.

Skills

Critical care experience

Patient assessment

Team collaboration

On-call availability

Education

RN license (required)

Bachelor/Associate/Master in Nursing

Tools

ACLS certification

BLS CPR certification

PALS certification

Job description

As a PACU Nurse, your voice to influence patient care is valued and empowered at every turn –whether through open, collaborative relationships with your direct manager or more formal opportunities through hospital councils and national nursing initiatives. You'll help shape decisions that elevate both patient outcomes and the future of nursing.

Job Summary and Qualifications

As a PACU Registered Nurse, you will play a critical role in the immediate post-operative care of surgical patients. Your responsibilities will include managing airway support, closely monitoring neurological and cardiac status, and responding promptly to any complications or side effects. You will provide initial wound care to the patients’ surgical site and ensure patient stability during recovery. You will collaborate with the surgical and anesthesia team. This role includes on-call availability during select non-business hours which will be discussed in the interview.

Position Details:

• Self/Preferential Scheduling posted four weeks in advance

• Supportive, visible leadership that promotes a collaborative, respectful team culture where nurses are empowered to ask questions, seek help, and provide valuable input

• Staffing Support from Certified Nurse Assistance, Patient Care Techs, Charge Nurses, and an RN float pool internal to HCA Healthcare that is available as a staffing resource as needed

• Rounding with unit leaders, including charge nurses, to ensure your voice is heard on suggestions for patient care

What you will do in this role:

• Deliver high-quality, patient-centered care while managing evidence-based practices and continuous improvement initiatives

• Be an integral member of a dynamic interdisciplinary team – consisting of the provider(s), therapy, and more.

• Consistently apply the nursing process, critical thinking skills, scientific judgment, technical skills and leadership to independently deliver safe nursing care to patients

• Assess patient condition, monitor throughout your shift, and document changes in patient condition along with the care provided thoroughly

• Educate patients and families/caregivers about the patient’s medical condition, treatment and follow-up measures

What qualifications you will need:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Spt must be obtained within 6 months of employment start date

• Basic Cardiac Life Support must be obtained within 30 days of employment start date

• PALS Pediatric Adv Life Supt must be obtained within 6 months of employment start date

• (RN) Registered Nurse

• Bachelors Degree, or Associate Degree, or Masters Degree

• At least 1 year of critical care experience required! ICU, ER, PACU

Benefits

TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:

• Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services

• Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services

• Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence

• Savings and retirement resources , including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling

• Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing

• Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts

Learn more about Employee Benefits (https://careers.hcahealthcare.com/pages/employee-benefits-and-rewards)

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.

"Nurses are essential to the delivery of healthcare and serve as its foundation. At HCA Healthcare, we are committed to equipping nurses with the tools and resources they need to deliver exceptional patient care, championing the profession, and supporting the advancement of nursing’s future."

Erica Rossitto, MBA/HCM, BSN, RN, NEA-BC

Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive

HCA Healthcare

TriStar StoneCrest proudly serves Rutherford County, Tennessee. Our 100 bed hospital offers complete medical care for adults and children. This includes emergency, surgical, and many other services. Our medical staff of about 500 physicians includes more than 45 specialties. Many physicians have offices on the hospital campus. Our staff is committed to providing quality patient care. We offer compassion and comfort in our modern facility.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.