As technology advances and surgical procedures take advantage of new processes, the amount of time a patient spends post-operatively in the hospital will continue to decrease for some patients, as will their time in recovery. For others, however, the unheard of complex procedures requiring total control of body functions will make recovery room much more than a “wake up room.” Assessing all aspects of what is or may be happening with a post-operative patient and responding appropriately and in a timely manner is obviously at the very core of this profession.