NICU Registered Nurse
Covington, Louisiana
Lakeview Regional Medical Center

NICU Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Position

Location: Covington, Louisiana
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each, 18:45–7:15)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Attend deliveries (vaginal and cesarean) and assist with newborn transition
• Admit and discharge neonates to/from NICU and Newborn Observation Unit (NOU)
• Float to NOU with patient ratios of 1:4-6 and normal newborn nursery as needed
• Patient ratio typically 1:2-3
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary care team including NNP, MD, RN, Social Services, RT, Radiology, OT
• Educate and update parents; assist new mothers with breastfeeding
• Perform procedures including chest tube insertion assistance, PICC/UAC/UVC placement, intubation, oxygen and nitric oxide administration, exchange transfusions, and assist with diagnostic tests (x-rays, ultrasounds, echocardiograms, EEGs, CBG, ABG)
• Administer medications via multiple routes and perform blood administration
• Placement of IVs in neonates and drawing labs
• Compassion, empathy, and strong customer service skills required

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Louisiana
• Minimum 3 years of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) experience, with NICU experience within the last year
• Completion of at least one prior travel nursing assignment
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Experience attending deliveries (vaginal and cesarean) and assisting with newborn transition
• Proficiency with Epic electronic health record system
• Certifications:

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) issued by the American Heart Association
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

Patient Care Ratios & Scheduling

• Patient ratio: 1 nurse to 2-3 patients in NICU
• Float to NOU with ratios of 1 nurse to 4-6 patients
• Weekend requirement: every other weekend
• Holiday requirement: at least 1 major and 1 minor holiday per contract

Health & Compliance Requirements

• Government-issued photo ID matching all documentation
• Background check within 6 months covering all locations lived/worked/schooled in past 7 years
• Drug screen within 30 days of start (10-panel including marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, etc.)
• Immunizations and titers required or documented declinations accepted for:

  • Tdap (within 10 years)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 MMR vaccines or positive titer)
  • Varicella (2 vaccines or positive titer)
  • Hepatitis B series, titer, or declination
  • Seasonal flu vaccination (required Oct 1–Mar 31; exemptions accepted)
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 3 months of start, with annual TB questionnaire
• Physical exam within 12 months of start
• Annual competency exams including medication/pharmacology and core competencies

Additional Notes

• Scrubs color: Grape/Purple
• Must maintain professional appearance per employer policy
• Must provide 7 years of work history with no gaps over 30 days in employment application

This position is ideal for experienced NICU RNs with prior travel assignments who are comfortable with high-acuity neonatal care, flexible scheduling, and floating between related units.