Post-anesthesia care unit nurse vs head nurse

Differences between post-anesthesia care unit nurse and head nurse duties and responsibilities

Post-anesthesia care unit nurse example responsibilities.

• Manage patients' pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions and monitoring patients' responses.
• Do preop teaching, draw labs and perform EKG's prior to surgery.
• Maintain and care for arterial/venous sheaths sites, as well as medication titration pre and post op.
• Provide leadership in improving and sustaining the quality and effectiveness of the care provide by PACU nursing and ancillary staff.
• Assess post-operative surgical patients for anesthesia complications
• Monitor for hemorrhagic changes and lingering affects of anesthesia.
Show more

Head nurse example responsibilities.

• Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
• Receive intensive training for critical care skill development upon transferring to the medical ICU.
• Perform advanced nursing care to acute/chronic medical/surgical, cardiac, thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedic and oncology/ hematology patients.
• Certify staff in CPR and blood glucose monitoring.
• Develop and implement an intensive care class for the staff; implement ACLS class for all staff.
• Develop process improvement plan with bundles for sedation and ventilation.
Show more