Job Title: Registered Nurse – NICU
Department: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Job Class: RN – NICU
Employment Type: Full-Time / Part-Time / Contract / Per Diem
Reports To: Nurse Manager / Clinical Supervisor
Experience Requirements
CSA: Minimum of 1 year of acute hospital experience
CT Tech: No additional experience required
Radiology Tech (Rad Tech): No additional experience required
Respiratory Therapist (RT): No additional experience required
RN: Minimum 2 years of experience within their specialty (PEDS experience strongly
preferred)
Surgical Tech (Surg Tech): No additional experience required
Ultrasound Tech: No additional experience required
Dress Code
A badge ID is required to be provided to the Healthcare Professional by the Staffing
Vendor and worn for each shift. The badge ID must contain the information below at a
minimum:
- Photo
- First and last name
- Job class
- Staffing Vendor company name
Attire: RNs- Royal blue scrubs.
Job Summary
The Registered Nurse – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides specialized nursing care to premature newborns, critically ill infants, and medically fragile neonates. The NICU RN is responsible for monitoring, assessing, and supporting newborn patients who may require oxygen therapy, ventilator support, feeding assistance, IV therapy, medication administration, thermoregulation, and continuous clinical observation.
This role requires strong neonatal assessment skills, attention to detail, critical thinking, and the ability to provide compassionate, family-centered care to newborns and their families.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide direct nursing care to premature, critically ill, and medically fragile newborns in the NICU.
- Monitor vital signs, oxygen saturation, respiratory status, cardiac rhythm, temperature, feeding tolerance, intake/output, and overall patient condition.
- Assess and respond quickly to changes in neonatal status.
- Care for infants requiring oxygen therapy, CPAP, ventilator support, IV fluids, central lines, feeding tubes, phototherapy, or medication management.
- Administer medications, IV fluids, nutrition, and treatments as ordered and within RN scope of practice.
- Support safe feeding, including bottle feeding, tube feeding, and breastfeeding support as appropriate.
- Maintain infant warmth and safety through incubator, warmer, and thermoregulation practices.
- Collaborate with neonatologists, pediatricians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, lactation consultants, and the interdisciplinary care team.
- Educate and support parents/guardians regarding infant care, feeding, safety, discharge planning, and follow-up needs.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record.
- Follow infection control, medication safety, patient safety, and hospital policies.
- Participate in emergency response and neonatal resuscitation as needed.
- Advocate for patient safety, comfort, dignity, and family-centered care.
Minimum Qualifications
- Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the applicable state.
- Minimum 1 year of recent NICU experience preferred or required based on client/facility needs.
- Neonatal, pediatric, or critical care experience preferred.
- Current BLS certification required.
- Current NRP certification required or strongly preferred.
- PALS may be preferred depending on facility policy.
- Ability to pass background check, drug screening, health screening, and all credentialing requirements.
Preferred Experience
- Recent NICU experience.
- Children’s hospital or neonatal hospital experience.
- Experience caring for premature infants and medically fragile newborns.
- Experience with oxygen therapy, CPAP, ventilators, feeding tubes, IV therapy, central lines, incubators, warmers, and phototherapy.
- Experience with neonatal emergency response and family-centered care.
Required Skills
- Neonatal assessment and clinical judgment.
- Respiratory and oxygen monitoring.
- Thermoregulation and incubator care.
- Feeding support and intake/output monitoring.
- Medication administration and IV therapy.
- Neonatal safety and infection control.
- Emergency response and neonatal resuscitation readiness.
- Family education and communication.
- Accurate EMR documentation.
- Team collaboration and escalation of care.
Work Environment
The NICU RN works in a highly specialized neonatal critical care environment caring for premature and medically fragile newborns. Patients may require continuous monitoring, specialized equipment, respiratory support, feeding support, and rapid clinical intervention. The role requires strong attention to detail, compassion, emotional maturity, and excellent communication with families and the care team.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to safely handle and position newborn patients.
- Ability to respond quickly in urgent situations or emergencies.
- Ability to use hospital equipment, monitors, pumps, incubators, warmers, and electronic medical records.
Equal Opportunity Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified candidates based on licensure, experience, certifications, client requirements, and business needs.
Pay: $55.00 - $65.00 per hour
Experience:
- Registered Nurse – NICU: 2 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Registered Nurse – NICU (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
