Travel DOU Nurse Jobs

As of Thursday, April 18th 2024, Vivian has 133 Staff Nursing jobs listed. These jobs pay $46 per hour on average, with the highest-paying job listed up to $68 per hour.

Take a look at Vivian's Travel DOU Nurse Career Guide for more information, including required education, responsibilities, pros and cons and more.

Direct observation unit nurses are registered nurses who specialize in providing care to patients who are less critical than ICU patients but still require frequent monitoring and close observation. They ensure patients are responding positively to treatment until they’re stable enough for discharge or can be downgraded to a lower acuity care area. DOU nursing is a rewarding career path for those wanting to make a difference in patients’ lives.

DOU nurses work with patients and their families to ensure a smooth transition into the DOU and provide thorough information about their plan of care. They perform direct and continuous observation, using telemetry to monitor patients. DOU nurses gauge a patient’s response to treatment so they can provide appropriate care in the event a patient’s condition worsens. Common duties include:

A Direct Observation Unit is a unit within a hospital. Only approximately one-third of U.S. hospitals had an observation unit in 2014, but this number is consistently growing and increasing demand for DOU nurses. Some DOUs are used in conjunction with the emergency department for patients who require ongoing treatment and aren’t stable enough to discharge, but it’s still unknown whether they need to be admitted into the hospital. Hospitals also may have pediatric or geriatric DOUs or their telemetry unit or step-down unit may be referred to as a DOU. Other hospitals have Special Care Units for patients that need closer behavioral monitoring for safety and securityDirect observation nurses may be utilized in any of these areas depending on their training.

Good DOU nurses have strong clinical judgment and acute care expertise that allow them to effectively manage multiple responsibilities, challenging situations, and critically urgent responses. They’re proficient with technology, including electronic health records, communications systems, and all equipment required to perform essential tasks. DOU nurses possess excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate with interdisciplinary teams and patients. Their stellar interpersonal skills also allow them to convey a positive, supportive attitude towards patients and teammates.

Becoming a DOU travel nurse requires an RN license, which means completing an accredited nursing program. An Associate Degree in Nursing is the minimum requirement, but many hospitals prefer applicants with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN exam and fulfill all other state licensing requirements to earn RN licensure.

Direct observational unit nurses may hold Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), among others.