Registered Nurse Observation Unit

About the Role

The 1E Med-Surg/Observation Unit at St. Anthony Hospital is a 22-bed department with a volume of more than 300 patients per month. This unit combines observation (14 beds) and inpatient (8 beds) status patients, primarily receiving individuals requiring further monitoring from the ED or surrounding free-standing EDs. Common diagnoses include chest pain and abdominal pain. Patients needing care beyond 24-48 hours are transferred to inpatient status. The department focuses on delivering safe, timely, and quality care while offering opportunities to develop med/surg skills, time management, and a deeper understanding of emergency and inpatient care.

This fast-paced unit admits and discharges patients every shift, requiring adaptability and a strong work ethic. Nurses work alongside mid-level providers (PA or NP) for every patient and collaborate closely with a supportive, mission-driven team. The role is ideal for those interested in emergency medicine or looking to solidify their nursing skills in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Assess patient’s physical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs through observation, interviews, and medical record reviews.
• Evaluate patient responses and intervene to ensure optimal outcomes.
• Develop and implement patient care plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrate competency in therapeutic/diagnostic interventions, including IVs, wound care, medication administration, catheterization, and specimen collection.
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and timely documentation of patient charts, status, interventions, and outcomes.
• Use information technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate errors, and support decision-making.
• Promote, advocate, and collaborate to protect patient health, safety, and rights.
• Provide patient/family education by assessing learning readiness, needs, and abilities; evaluate teaching effectiveness.

Requirements

• Active and unencumbered RN License in the state of employment.
• Associate’s Degree in Nursing or Nursing Diploma (required); Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (preferred).
• Minimum of one year of RN experience.
• Physical ability to perform medium work: exert/lift up to 50 lbs. occasionally, up to 20 lbs. frequently, and up to 10 lbs. constantly.
• Commitment to compassionate, high-quality patient care with strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to apply the nursing process effectively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Openness to learning, flexibility with scheduling, and adaptability to change.

Benefits

• Eligible for a $20,000 sign-on bonus for qualified external applicants with at least six months of direct RN experience (full-time or part-time positions only; PRN positions excluded; some exclusions apply).
• Relocation assistance may be available depending on location.
• Opportunities for professional development, education, and certification support.

Pay

$33.15 - $59.67 per hour.

Schedule

Full-time, 0.90 FTE (three 12-hour shifts per week), 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM.

About the Workplace

St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado, is a Level I Trauma Center and a Magnet®-designated hospital, recognized for excellence in nursing. The hospital serves Denver and the surrounding region with a full range of medical specialties and state-of-the-art facilities, including four trauma rooms and a dedicated field-to-surgery suite for critical care. The unit supports a variety of specialties, including trauma, cardiology, stroke, neurosciences, breast imaging, cancer/oncology, and surgery. The hospital has received numerous awards and accreditations, including recognition from the American Heart Association, The Joint Commission, and the Emergency Nurses Association.