Registered Nurse, Day Patient Center

Registered Nurse (RN) - Day Patient (Pre-Op/PACU)

Job Summary:

The Registered Nurse (RN) in the Day Patient unit provides comprehensive nursing care to patients undergoing same-day surgical procedures. This role includes preoperative preparation, postoperative recovery, patient education, and discharge coordination while ensuring patient safety and adherence to clinical standards.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Preoperative (Pre-Op):

• Perform patient admission, identification, and surgical verification processes.
• Complete nursing assessments including medical history, allergies, medications, and NPO status.
• Start IV lines and administer medications per provider orders.
• Verify completion of consents, labs, and required documentation.
• Educate patients and families regarding procedures and expectations.
• Communicate effectively with surgeons, anesthesia, and OR staff.

Postoperative (PACU/Phase I & II):

• Monitor and assess patient status including airway, breathing, circulation, and level of consciousness.
• Manage pain, nausea, and other postoperative symptoms.
• Administer medications and IV fluids as ordered.
• Identify and respond to complications or changes in condition.
• Transition patients through recovery phases per protocol.

   Discharge:

• Evaluate patients for discharge readiness using established criteria.
• Provide clear discharge instructions and education to patients and caregivers.
• Ensure safe discharge with appropriate support and transportation.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation.

Qualifications:

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• BLS, ACLS, PALS required 
• Minimum 1 year RN experience preferred; surgical, pre-op, PACU or Critical Care experience strongly preferred.
• Strong critical thinking, assessment, and communication skills.

Work Environment & Expectations:

• Fast-paced hospital setting.
• Ability to multitask and adapt to changing patient volumes.
• Requires collaboration across departments (OR, anesthesia, surgeons, PACU).
• Will require early hours and some extended shifts depending on case load.

No Call, Weekends or Holidays 

Lifepoint Health is a leader in community-based care and driven by a mission of Making Communities Healthier. Our diversified healthcare delivery network spans 29 states and includes 63 community hospital campuses, 32 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals, and more than 170 additional sites of care across the healthcare continuum, such as acute rehabilitation units, outpatient centers and post-acute care facilities. We believe that success is achieved through talented people. We want to create places where employees want to work, with opportunities to pursue meaningful and satisfying careers that truly make a difference in communities across the country.