Medical-Surgical Observation Unit RN
Marquette, MI
LifePoint
6x12 hrs, Days, Nights

Job Opportunity: RN - Med Surg (Observation Unit Nurse)

Location: Marquette, Michigan
Employment Type: Travel Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

The Observation Unit Nurse provides high-quality, patient-centered nursing care for individuals requiring short-term evaluation and treatment (typically 24–48 hours) to determine admission needs or safe discharge. The role involves rapid assessment, frequent reassessment, care coordination, and timely intervention for patients with diverse medical and surgical conditions in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform timely and comprehensive initial assessments and frequent reassessments to monitor patient progress.
• Implement and adjust care plans based on provider orders, patient condition changes, and clinical judgment.
• Administer medications, treatments, IV therapies, and diagnostic preparation per protocol.
• Monitor vital signs, labs, and diagnostic results; promptly report changes and abnormal findings.
• Provide patient education on diagnosis, treatment plans, medications, and discharge instructions.
• Coordinate care with physicians, case management, and multidisciplinary teams to support timely disposition.
• Document assessments, interventions, and patient responses accurately in the electronic health record (Cerner).
• Facilitate efficient admission, transfer, and discharge workflows.
• Support safe and smooth transitions of care, including follow-up appointments and patient teaching.
• Respond to urgent situations and perform emergency interventions within scope of practice.
• Maintain compliance with infection control standards, patient safety protocols, hospital policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in performance improvement activities to enhance patient experience, throughput, and clinical outcomes.

Unit Profile

• Unit: Observation Unit
• Number of Beds: 10
• Patient Population: Adults only (>18 years)
• Patient Ratios: Approximately 1:5 (no defined ratios)
• Equipment: Cardiac monitor
• EHR System: Cerner
• Shift: 5 days / 5 nights, 12-hour shifts
• Weekly Guaranteed Hours: 72 hours per pay period (0.9 FTE)
• Weekend/Holiday Requirement: Must work weekends and holidays
• Float Requirements: Yes, float to Medical/Cardiac/Neuro-Ortho units
• Call Requirements: None mandated

Required Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (RN) license in Michigan
• Minimum 2 years of experience in medical/surgical nursing (higher experience requirement applies)
• Required Certifications:

  • BLS (Basic Life Support)
  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
  • NIH Stroke Scale Competency
  • Telemetry/ECG Competency
• Preferred Certifications (optional):

  • TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course)
  • ENPC (Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course)
• Must have at least 1 year of med/surg experience
• Preferred experience with telemetry patients

Common Diagnoses/Treatments

• Chest pain
• Asthma exacerbation
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Abdominal pain
• Urinary issues
• Blood sugar issues
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) / Pulmonary embolism (PE)
• Cellulitis
• Post-procedural monitoring
• Minor trauma

Additional Information

• Orientation is bi-weekly
• Dress code: Galaxy blue scrubs
• No guarantee on block scheduling

Prior Travel Experience

• Not explicitly required for this position

This role is ideal for an experienced RN with strong med/surg and telemetry skills who thrives in a fast-paced observation unit environment and is comfortable working varied shifts including weekends and holidays.