The Observation Unit is an outpatient setting for patients who require additional monitoring and intervention after their visit to the Emergency Department. Within 24 hours of arrival, patients transition to home.

If you are looking for a more challenging pace than an inpatient unit– the Observation Unit is for you. It is also a great entry point from the inpatient setting to an eventual transition into the Emergency Department as a professional nurse. 

Overview:

A nursing graduate may practice as set forth by the Maryland Board of Nursing for 90 days from graduation or until they have received results from the initial NCLEX examination. In addition, the nursing graduate shall practice only under the direct supervision of a registered nurse who is physically present on the unit to (1) cosign medication transcription, medication administration, and nursing documentation; and (2) continually observe, assist, coordinate, evaluate, and monitor the nursing graduate. The nursing graduate shall use the initials 'NG' after the nursing graduate's name as credentials.

Transcribe medication orders per written policies and procedures once skill validation has been successfully completed.

Administer medications and controlled substances and sign controlled substances sheets

Document in the medical record with the abbreviation 'NG'

Perform patient assessments after the initial assessment or after the first assessment of the shift performed by the registered nurse.

Perform and document routine procedures taught within the nursing graduate's generic nursing program including placing nasal gastric tubes, performing urinary catheterizations, applying sterile dressings, performing blood sugar checks and obtaining specimens.

Graduate of an accredited registered nursing program.

Eligible to sit for NCLEX; A nursing graduate shall cease practice as a nursing graduate immediately if the nursing graduate fails the initial NCLEX examination or has not taken NCLEX exam within 90 days of graduation.