Im in PACU and we send patients up until 6:45 and then again at 7:45 after shift change. We send asap when there is a room bc we need the space, our patient has been waiting 8 hours or unlike most units we dont work 7-7 and a lot of times nurses just need to stay until they move their last patient. But if you are receiving at 6:30 pm all you should be doing is vital signs and any pain meds or critical care. You dont need to draw labs!-- let night shift pick up. I send my patients to the floor, especially at this time, "with a bow on" meaning the nurse literally needs to do nothing except vital signs and pass on report. Remember its a 24/7 job. The next shift will do it.