Observation Floors

[CJRN131]

Hi Guys,

I've been a surgical nurse (for a year and half at a University hospital, and the rest at a smaller community hospital) for a about two years now. My boss that hired me is now opening an observation floor, that I could go to and work 12 hour days. I currently work full time 1500-2300 and hate being at work so often. I'm looking for something different. I'm young and want to experience everything. My only fear is that going down in acuity for an observation floor would affect my resume poorly. What do you guys think? I know it will be more difficult in the aspect that it will be a lot of admits and discharges, but the patients will be generally healthier.

I appreciate everyones input, especially those of managers!

[SubSippi]

An obs unit isn't necessarily low acuity, there are codes called there all the time at my hospital. I would think you'd get really good assessment skills.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

I had a friend who worked the observation unit. What she described was awful. Mostly cardiac patients/chest pain just waiting to have an MI.

I thought OBS would be easy too until I heard her stories.

It would probably be a good idea to talk to a nurse who works in such an area.