Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a method of pain relief that uses cutaneously applied electrodes that deliver electrical signals to peripheral nerves through the intact skin. Treating pain with TENS results in the patient having a reduced perception of pain. The effectiveness of TENS is based on two mechanisms: 1) the gate control theory of pain relief where stimulation of myelinated sensory fibers disrupts neuronal processing in the substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord, and 2) the stimulation-induced release of endogenous opioids, both in the central nervous system and the general circulation. The present practice for obtaining and applying a TENS unit on a patient for pain relief requires consultation with Physical Therapy who will come and assess the patient and then apply the TENS unit and make recommendations for settings and therapy. This process limits the response to only daytime and often results in a delay in initiation of treatment. After providing education and training it is anticipated that nurses could successfully apply a TENS unit and initiate therapy early in the immediate post operative period. The more timely application of a TENS unit to a post VATS patient could improve pain management outcomes for this population.