Registered Nurse; RN Post-Anesthesia Care Unit; PACU Hospital

Location: Great Falls, Montana |
Schedule: Full-Time, On-Site

A prominent regional healthcare system is seeking an experienced Hospital PACU Registered Nurse (RN) to join its surgical services division. This role offers an RN the chance to work in a supportive clinical environment known for strong nurse-to-patient ratios, dependable administrative support, and a collaborative, compassionate team culture, within a scenic Montana community offering an excellent quality of life and outdoor recreation.

• Safely assess, admit, and prepare patients arriving for elective or outpatient surgical procedures, ensuring pre-op checklists and safety parameters are met
• Closely monitor and stabilize patients emerging from general, regional, or local anesthesia, managing airway/ventilation (including extubation), hemodynamic stability, and frequent neurological checks
• Recover and monitor higher-acuity post-operative patients with chest tubes, central lines, arterial lines, multiple titration IVs, and short-term ventilator support (training provided as needed)
• Continuously monitor surgical sites, dressings, incisions, and drains (JP drains, Foleys, NG tubes) to prevent or catch post-op complications
• Titrate IV medications to manage acute post-operative pain, treat post-anesthesia nausea/vomiting (PANV), and use warming devices to manage hypothermia and shivering
• Provide direct care to medical and surgical observation patients admitted from the Emergency Department, via direct admission, or post-surgical status
• Coordinate care plans with Providers, Anesthesia teams, Nurse Managers, and Charge Nurses, and provide clinical guidance to LPNs and CNA staff
• Use standardized scoring systems (such as the Aldrete Score) to clear patients for home discharge (Phase II) or execute detailed hand-off reporting to inpatient units (ICU, PCU, Med/Surg)
• Work varied shifts within operational hours of 6:00 AM - 7:30 PM, with shared call rotation (approximately 4 weeknights/month plus 1 weekend every other month)

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program;
  Associate Degree in Nursing required
• Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the State of Montana (or immediate compact/endorsement eligibility)
• Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications required upon hire
• Minimum of 2 to 4 years of recent professional hospital experience in an acute Medical/Surgical or Critical Care nursing environment
• Advanced understanding of basic nursing principles/procedures, strict application of asepsis, proficient IV insertion/management skills, and basic computer/office technical literacy

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred
• Dedicated background or professional familiarity with Critical Care (ICU) workflows highly preferred

• Final hourly compensation determined based on documented years of nursing experience
• Excellent nurse-to-patient ratios designed to foster personalized care and balanced clinical workloads
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance packages
• Robust retirement savings plan with generous employer matching contribution
• Fully covered medical malpractice insurance
• Generous paid time off (PTO) allocation
• Full benefits package offered for full-time positions; benefits may vary or be prorated for part-time arrangements
• Offers contingent upon successful completion of standard pre-employment screenings, including criminal background check, drug screening, and health/immunization verification

This position offers strong nurse-to-patient ratios, robust administrative support, and a compassionate team culture, set in a Montana community known for its quality of life and outdoor recreation.