Travel NICU Nurse Jobs
Make a Difference as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Travel Nurse
It's no surprise you have a knack for helping those around you. It's likely why you got into nursing in the first place! You’re all about listening to your patients, but are you ready to listen to that inner voice telling you to travel? Travel nursing has its perks. You get to do a job you love, feel fulfilled at each day's end, explore new cities and spaces, and of course, make some pretty great cash. Travel nursing is a job for the kind-hearted, adventure seekers out there who live to care for others around the clock because people do not fall ill on a schedule, as much as that would make things easier.
Live and work in the location of your dreams and get paid to do it. As a travel nurse, you choose your specialty and your next adventure. It's not science (for once).
What is a NICU Travel Nurse?
A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse, or NICU nurse, is a healthcare professional who specializes in providing critical care to newborns in need of extra medical attention. These amazing nurses take care of premature infants or babies born with medical conditions that require intense treatment. Their responsibilities cover a wide range of tasks, like monitoring vital signs, giving medications, and providing basic care like feeding and bathing. With their deep knowledge of neonatal care, NICU nurses offer a priceless service, ensuring the safety and well-being of our tiniest and most vulnerable patients.
You can find NICU Travel Nursing jobs in a variety of healthcare facilities including hospitals. Working in a neonatal intensive care unit requires critical care nurses to be knowledgeable and proficient in the most advanced medical technologies and treatments, as well as proficient in high-level care and emotional support to critically ill patients.
Typical NICU Nurse Responsibilities:
- Monitors and cares for critically ill newborns in the NICU
- Administers medications and provides necessary treatments as prescribed by the neonatologist
- Assists with procedures such as intubation, IV line insertion, and lumbar puncture
- Observes and records vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation
- Educates and supports parents about their baby’s condition, care procedures, and expected outcomes
- Coordinates with the interdisciplinary team including other NICU nurses, doctors, therapists, and social workers for comprehensive patient care
- Ensures the NICU environment is sterile and safe for newborns
- Participates in neonatal resuscitation program and emergency interventions as required
- Implements and maintains the standards of neonatal nursing care practice
- Commits to ongoing professional development and staying updated with the latest in neonatal care
Choose where you go
With opportunities for new graduates all over the country, we’ve selected areas with the most popular medical traveling jobs to help you find your best fit.
Advantages & Perks for Travel Nursing Jobs
Competitive pay
Travel nurses are the backbone of medical traveling. Pay transparency means you can see what you'll actually get paid before you even apply.
Per diem
Travel nurses qualify for a weekly, tax-free per diem that can help you cover the cost of moving, like your transportation, meals, and other expenses.
Certifications
Level-up, Nurse. Get your state licenses and travel nurse requirements reimbursed.
Travel life
See new spaces. See new faces. Grow and learn in your nursing career as you grow and learn in various cities all over the country.
Travel Nursing Compliance & Licensure
Being a travel nurse is a great way to grow your experience and learn on the job. What if your dream travel assignment is asking for certifications you don’t have? Don’t sweat. You’ll get training in nursing and financial assistance for the cost of licensing and certifications!
Degrees and Certifications
Keeping up with the world of licensing and certification can be intimidating. Degrees and certifications depend on your modality and specialty but getting compliant for your home state and others you want to travel to is easier as a medical professional. Compliance experts work with your recruiter and the facility to ensure that you have all the relevant credentials required for any and all travel jobs.
Compliance Requirements
Some of your compliance requirements are the same across the board, but there are others that will depend on your specialty in nursing.
The three parts of compliance
- Occupational health records: Required immunizations and health examinations
- Documentation: Tax forms, insurance paperwork, and licenses
- Testing: Certifications, online training, and workplace safety exams
FAQs
Who can become a NICU Travel Nurse?
Becoming a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse is a noble and rewarding career path that's open to all registered nurses who have a genuine passion for providing care to the most vulnerable patients – newborns. But it does require specialized knowledge and skills.
After acquiring a nursing degree and passing the NCLEX-RN to become a Registered Nurse, one often needs a few years of experience in pediatric or neonatal care. Some hospitals may further require nurses to obtain a certification. The journey to becoming a NICU Nurse may be challenging, but the opportunity to make a significant difference in countless lives is truly unparalleled.
Experienced NICU Nurses with 12-18 months of hospital-based RN experience in their field can apply for travel nurse jobs. Depending on the specialty or the specific requirements of the facility, the required job experience could be longer.
What's the difference between NICU RNs and critical care nurses?
Critical care nurses are registered nurses who provide care and monitoring for acute or critically ill patients in specialized units, such as intensive care units. A NICU Nurse has a similar role, but their focus is on the provision of comprehensive and continuous care to severely ill babies. Ultimately, the difference between critical care nurses and NICU RNs lies in their patient population, as well as their level of training and experience in providing specialized treatment and care to patients most in need.
Are there any common NICU Travel Nursing certifications I should consider?
Yes! As a NICU Nurse, you may choose to pursue certifications to enhance your knowledge and professional development. The most commonly required certifications are Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification, Neonatal Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN), and Basic Life Support (BLS). While not usually required for intensive care unit positions, registered nurses can pursue additional certifications such as Certification in Low-Risk Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-LRN(R)) and Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC).
What type of Travel Nursing jobs make the most money?
Typically, the most in-demand travel nursing jobs are those that require highly specialized training, knowledge, and experience. This includes positions in the Cardiac Cath Lab, ICUs, Emergency Rooms, and Operating Rooms. Fusion Medical Staffing provides weekly pay estimates for most travel nursing jobs we have available which include the combined hourly pay and available stipend amounts for housing, travel, and per diem.
Will taking a NICU Travel Nursing job help my nursing career?
Travel nursing jobs are beneficial because it exposes you to different regional nursing procedures and patient populations, provide the opportunity to explore new specialties, and gain experience learning a new clinical environment quickly.