Observation Unit RN (Med/Surg)
Marquette, Michigan
UP Health System Marquette

Travel RN Opportunity – Observation Unit Nurse

Location: Marquette, Michigan
Specialty: Registered Nurse (RN) – Observation Unit
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Facility & Unit Overview

• 225-bed specialty care hospital with multiple specialty centers including Heart & Vascular, Cancer, Brain & Spine, Rehab, Behavioral Health, Digestive Health, Bariatric Medicine & Weight Management, Women’s Health, and Pediatrics.
• Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, central region, largest community in the peninsula.
• Observation Unit: 10 beds, adult patients only (>18 years).
• Trauma Level: 2
• Patient Ratios: Approximately 1:5 (no defined ratios)
• Equipment: Cardiac monitor
• Electronic Health Record (EHR): Cerner

Position Details

• Role: RN in Observation Unit
• Shift: 5 days on / 5 nights on, 12-hour shifts
• Weekly Guaranteed Hours: 72 hours per pay period (0.9 FTE)
• Weekend/Holiday Requirement: Must work weekends and holidays
• Call Requirements: None mandated
• Float Requirements: Yes, float to Medical, Cardiac, Neuro-Ortho units
• Number of Openings: 10

Required Qualifications & Certifications

• RN license required
• Certifications: BLS, ACLS, NIH Stroke Scale Competency, Telemetry/ECG Competency
• Optional Certifications: TNCC, ENPC
• Experience: Minimum 1 year medical/surgical experience
• Preferred: Telemetry experience

Job Description & Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, patient-centered nursing care for patients requiring short-term evaluation and treatment (typically 24–48 hours) to determine admission or safe discharge.
• 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.
• 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.

Common Patient 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

This role is ideal for RNs with med/surg experience looking to work in a fast-paced observation unit with diverse adult patient populations and opportunities to float to other specialty units.