PACU-Critical Care Staff Nurse

Thanks for your interest in Children's Mercy!

Do you envision finding a meaningful role with an inclusive and compassionate team? At Children’s Mercy, we believe in making a difference in the lives of all children and shining a light of hope to the patients and families we serve. Our employees make the difference, which is why we have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top pediatric hospital, for eleven consecutive years.

Children’s Mercy is in the heart of Kansas City – a metro abounding in cultural experiences, vibrant communities and thriving businesses. This is where our patients and families live, work and play. This is a community that has embraced our hospital and we strive to say thanks by giving back. As a leader in children’s health, we engage in meaningful programs and partnerships throughout the region so that we can improve the lives of children beyond the walls of our hospital.

Overview

Same Day Surgery/PACU

The Children’s Mercy Same Day Surgery and Post-Anesthesia Care Units aim to provide safe, effective, and appropriate resolution of patient care needs through the nursing care of the surgical patient from the time of the pre-op phone call through admission and discharge and/or transfer to an inpatient unit for further observation. The care delivered reflects the philosophy of the Department of Nursing in its mission to address the needs of the patient and family. The care provided is in accordance with the National Standards of Peri-anesthesia Nursing Care.

Our team includes:

• Same Day Surgery (SDS): The Children’s Mercy Same Day Surgery department is where patients are admitted pre-operatively to prepare for their surgical procedure. No general anesthetics are utilized and no surgical procedures are performed in Same Day Surgery. Each child receives a physical assessment, including vital signs, and pre-operative teaching is completed. Before being transported to the operating room, all patients and families visit with an anesthesia provider and surgical staff to ensure all questions have been answered.

• Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) (Phase I Recovery):The Children’s Mercy Post-Anesthesia Care Unit is for patients who have had surgical procedures, usually under general anesthesia. The PACU Nursing Staff monitors vital signs, respiratory status, level of consciousness, pain, nausea/vomiting, and surgical site post-operatively. We work closely with Anesthesia and the Surgeon for pain and comfort management. We aim to resolve all patient care needs during every phase of post-anesthesia care. Once a patient has met standard criterion, they transfer to Phase II and are dismissed the same day or transfer to an inpatient unit for further observation.

• Phase II Dismissal (Post-Op):The Children’s Mercy Phase II Dismissal area is for patients who have met established criteria and are able to be dismissed home following their surgical procedure. Parents are provided written and verbal instructions on the care of their child and post-operative teaching is completed.

PACU-critical care staff nurses provide specialized patient care in the surgical setting in accordance with applicable scope and standards of practice with the policies, values, and mission of the organization. PACU-critical care staff nurses utilize the nursing process and knowledge of scientific principles to provide safe, high quality, comprehensive, and age-appropriate nursing care for patients undergoing Level 0 to 6 surgical procedures in the hospital setting, including managing emergent, complex clinical situations appropriately. The PACU-critical care staff nurse prepares, monitors, and manages the patient and perianesthesia setting during the surgical encounter to maintain a safe environment, optimize outcomes, and maximize available resources. PACU-critical care staff nurses provide patient and family education and advocate for their needs, while coordinating patient care with nonprofessional personnel as necessary.

At Children’s Mercy, we are committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcomed within our walls. A successful candidate for this position will join us as we strive to create a workplace that reflects the community we serve, as well as our core values of kindness, curiosity, inclusion, team and integrity.

Additionally, it’s important to us that we remain transparent with all potential job candidates. Because we value the safety of the patients and families we serve, as well as the Children’s Mercy staff, we want to let you know that the seasonal influenza vaccine is a condition of employment for all employees in our organization. New employees must be willing to be vaccinated if found non-immune to measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and chicken pox (varicella) and/or without evidence of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination since 2005. If you are selected for this position, you will be asked to supply your immunization records as proof of vaccination. If you and have any concerns about receiving these vaccines, medical and/or religious exemptions can be further discussed with Human Resources.

Responsibilities

• Utilizes the nursing process and knowledge of scientific principles to provide safe, high quality, comprehensive, and age-appropriate nursing care for patients undergoing Level 0 to 6 surgical procedures in the hospital setting, including managing emergent, complex clinical situations appropriately.

• Meets the educational and informational needs of the patient and family and advocates for their needs.

• Maintains an environment that is safe, comfortable, efficient, and family centered during the perioperative encounter.

• Utilizes current research and evidence for practice to expand personal professional knowledge, enhance role performance, and improve nursing care quality.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree ADN Required. Current employees hired before September 1, 2013 are grandfathered and permitted to continue in the direct care nursing role. and 1-2 years experience or

• Bachelor's Degree Preferred for all nurses hired after September 1, 2013. Nurses hired after this date without a BSN must complete their degree within 5 years of their hire date. and No Experience necessary / On-the-Job Training

• One of the following: Licensed RN - MO, Registered Nurse Multistate License Missouri, Registered Nurse Multistate License Kansas, RN Compact license for all states besides KS and MO required upon hire

• One of the following: Licensed RN - Kansas, Registered Nurse Multistate License Kansas, Registered Nurse Multistate License Missouri, RN Compact license for all states besides KS and MO required upon hire

• Refer to Nursing and Advanced Practice Provider Licensure and Certification policy for required Life Support Certifications Required Upon Hire

• Specialty Nursing Certification encouraged for all eligible nurses Preferred

Benefits at Children's Mercy

The benefits plans at Children’s Mercy are one of many reasons we are recognized as one of the best places to work in Kansas City. Our plans are designed to meet the changing needs of our employees and their families.

Learn more about Children’s Mercy benefits. (https://www.childrensmercy.org/careers/why-childrens-mercy/employee-benefits/)

Starting Pay

Our pay ranges are market competitive. The pay range for this job begins at $35.90/hr, but your offer will be determined based on your education and experience.

Remote Work/Work from Home

This position is not eligible to work remotely, which means that the person hired will be required to work onsite at one of our Children’s Mercy locations and may not work from home.

EEO Employer/Disabled/Vet

Children’s Mercy hires individuals based on their job skills, expertise and ability to maintain professional relationships with fellow employees, patients, parents and visitors. A personal interview, formal education and training, previous work experience, references and a criminal background investigation are all factors used to select the best candidates. The hospital does not discriminate against prospective or current employees based on the race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, creed, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry or veteran status. A drug screen will be performed upon hire. Children’s Mercy is smoke and tobacco free.

CM is committed to creating a workforce that supports the diverse backgrounds of our patients and families. We know that our greatest strengths come from the people who make up our team, so we hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our hospital stronger and our patient care more compassionate.

If you share our values and our enthusiasm for service, you will find a home at CM. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring, including education, ideas, culture, and beliefs.

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Requisition ID2026-40106

Requisition Post Information* : Posted Date (10/26/2026 4:49 PM)

Posting CategoryNursing

DivisionRECOVERY ROOM/SDS

Work TypeFull Time

Work HoursVaries

FLSA StatusNon-Exempt

Location : NameAdele Hall

Recruiter : Full Name: First LastBrittany McKown

Recruiter : [email protected]