Travel Nurse RN - NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care
Santa Cruz, CA
First Connect Health
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Registered Nurse (RN) – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Position Overview

• Unit Type: Community-Level III NICU
• Unit Capacity: 14 beds
• Required Certifications: BLS and NRP
• EMR: Cerner
• Scrub Color: Navy blue
• Shift Options: 12-hour shifts, 7:00 AM or 7:00 PM start
• Orientation: 3 shifts on the unit
• Floating: None

Required Qualifications & Clinical Skills

• Current BLS and NRP certifications.
• NICU nursing experience appropriate for a Level III neonatal care setting.
• Ability to care for premature and late-preterm infants and newborns requiring intensive monitoring.
• Ability to recognize and respond to neonatal complications, including suspected sepsis and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).

Patient Population & Common Diagnoses

The NICU provides care for neonates with a range of medical needs, including:

• Premature and late-preterm infants
• Rule-out sepsis cases
• Infants of diabetic mothers (IDGDM)
• Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)
• Neonatal readmissions

Note: Surgical cases are not managed in this unit. Infants may be discharged home directly from the NICU or transferred to the pediatric unit, depending on their condition.

Staffing & Patient Ratios

• Nurse-to-Patient Ratios: 1:1 or 1:3, depending on patient acuity.
• Charge Nurse: Available.
• Nurse Aides: None.
• Neonatology Coverage: A neonatologist or pediatrician is available on call 24/7.
• Respiratory Therapy: Available 24/7, including ventilator management.
• Pharmacy: Available 24/7.
• IV Team: Not available.
• Laboratory Work: Neonatal lab draws are performed by laboratory staff.

Equipment & Monitoring

• Ventilators: Available.
• Patient Monitoring: Philips monitors.
• EMR: Cerner.

Schedule & Work Requirements

• Shift Length: 12 hours
• Start Times: 7:00 AM or 7:00 PM
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• Holiday Requirement: Holidays are assigned in rotation with core staff.
• Floating: Not required.

Unit Environment

• The NICU is a locked unit.
• Infants may be discharged home directly from the NICU or transferred to pediatrics when appropriate.
• Three unit-specific orientation shifts are provided.

Candidate Submission Checklist

• Current BLS certification
• Current NRP certification
• Relevant NICU experience
• Experience caring for premature and late-preterm infants
• Familiarity with neonatal monitoring and ventilator-supported care
• Cerner experience preferred; confirm with the facility if required

Ideal Candidate

An experienced NICU RN comfortable caring for premature and late-preterm infants, managing neonatal conditions such as suspected sepsis and NAS, and working in a Level III community NICU. The candidate should be confident in neonatal assessment, monitoring, and collaboration with neonatology and respiratory therapy teams.

1204733

Harris