Observation Unit Registered Nurse
Omaha, Nebraska
The Nebraska Medical Center

Registered Nurse – Observation Unit

Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

• Work in the Observation Unit providing care to patients requiring evaluation and treatment for 8 to 48 hours.
• Patient conditions may include chest pain, asthma, abdominal pain, kidney stones, minor infections.
• Care involves IV antibiotics, fluids, insulin drips, nitro for blood pressure, total protein and lipids monitoring.
• Nurse-to-patient ratios: 1:5 (days), 1:6 (nights), occasionally 1:7 nights (rare).
• Must float within scope to various units including trauma, neuro, and other hospital floors, possibly at a secondary campus.
• Weekend shifts required: 4 out of 8 possible in a 4-week period (days: Sat/Sun; nights: Fri/Sat).
• Holiday work requirement: Must work 2 out of 3 major holidays.

Required Qualifications

• Registered Nurse license valid in Nebraska (pending license accepted if in hand before start; otherwise booking delayed 6 weeks).
• Minimum 2 years of RN experience in a large, urban hospital setting.
• EPIC electronic charting experience required.
• Drip experience required on all floors.
• BLS certification required.
• ACLS certification preferred.
• First-time travel nurses not accepted unless they have 2 years experience at a Level I Academic Medical Center.
• Must be nicotine-free (facility is 100% nicotine free).
• Candidate must live more than 100 miles from the facility (no locals accepted).

Shift Details

• Night shift: 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (19:00 to 7:30).
• Option for 36 or 48-hour shifts and 13 or 26-week contracts (this posting is for 13 weeks).

Facility & Work Environment

• Observation Unit includes care teams with CNAs, care techs, transport team, paramedics, and some LPNs.
• Scrubs: Mandatory Steele gray scrubs with facility logo (provided after confirmation).
• Parking: Permit available (~$55/month) or daily parking rates apply.
• Facility is a top-rated acute care hospital with complex patient cases and a teaching environment.

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Government-issued photo ID required.
• Background check within 30 days of start, updated annually (includes multi-county, statewide, federal checks).
• SAM and OIG checks required within 30 days of start and every 30 days thereafter.
• Education verification required.
• State-specific abuse/neglect registry check required.
• Primary source license verification and NURSYS verification required.
• Annual skills checklist required.
• Drug screen within 60 days of start and updated annually (specific panel required).
• Physical exam and fit mask test within 1 year of start, updated annually.
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Tdap within last 10 years
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray with TB questionnaire if positive history
  • 2 MMR vaccines or positive titers (boosters if low/equivocal)
  • Hepatitis B titer or declination
  • 2 Varicella vaccines or positive titer (boosters if low/equivocal)
• Flu vaccine preferred (documentation or declination required).
• COVID vaccine preferred; medical/religious exemptions accepted.
• Eye exam required only for OR staff (not applicable here).
• Two professional references from the last 2 years required.

Additional Notes

• Up to two weeks of Return to Origin (RTO) time permitted; must be requested with application.
• Scrubs and branded apparel available for purchase at facility store.
• Travelers must be prepared to float to multiple units as needed.

This position is ideal for experienced travel RNs with strong acute care and drip experience, comfortable working night shifts in a fast-paced observation setting within a large academic medical center environment.