NICU Registered Nurse
Columbus, Ohio
Nationwide Children's Hospital

NICU Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Position

Location: Columbus, Ohio
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each; 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Overview

• Float to multiple units including PICU, CV PICU, Stepdown, Medical-Surgical, BPD NICU (bronchopulmonary dysplasia), and rarely Emergency Department.
• Must be comfortable with frequent tracheostomy care and working with heavy parent involvement in BPD NICU (average patient stay 2-3 years).
• Float to other campuses as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Experience:

  • Minimum 2 years total Level III/IV NICU experience.
  • At least 1 year of Level IV NICU experience specifically required.
• Licenses & Certifications:

  • Current Ohio RN license (or Compact RN license valid in Ohio).
  • BLS (Basic Life Support) certification (AHA only).
  • NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) certification (AHA/AAP only).
• References:

  • Two professional references required at time of submission.
  • At least one reference must be a manager or supervisor. Charge RN acceptable for one reference. Peer references not accepted.

Compliance & Background Requirements

• Government-issued photo ID matching legal name on RN license and certifications required within 24-48 hours of contract signing. Temporary IDs or paper licenses are not acceptable.
• Criminal background check within 30 days of start, including 7-year county search and education verification through National Student Clearinghouse.
• Ohio BCI/FBI fingerprinting required within 60 days of start and must be updated for each new contract.
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required within 30 days of start.
• Education verification required, including official transcript if needed.
• Sex offender, Ohio Nurse Aide Registry, Ohio Inmate Registry, Ohio Medicaid Exemption, and Ohio State Abuse Registry searches required within 30 days of start.
• Drug screening (9-panel) within 60 days prior to start, including amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, opiates, marijuana, methadone, phencyclidine, and fentanyl.
• Annual background check required for direct candidates; new background check required if there is a gap of 30+ days between assignments.

Health & Safety Requirements

• Physical exam or signed Infection Control Policy required prior to start. Physical exam must confirm candidate is free of communicable diseases.
• N95 fit testing required within 1 year of start and updated annually. Acceptable masks include 3M 1860/1860S, Moldex 1513/1511, and Halyard N95 models. Candidates unable to complete fit test before start may test onsite but must provide proof of appointment.
• TB testing options: Two PPDs (first within 12 months, second within 90 days) or QGOLD/TSPOT within 12 months. Positive TB results require additional documentation and treatment. TB testing not required annually unless there is a break in assignments or specialty/unit change.
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine required within 10 years of start (must be completed after age 11). Tdap titer not accepted in place of vaccine record.
• Seasonal flu vaccine required for assignments between October 31 and May 31. Medical or religious exemptions accepted with facility approval and require mask wearing during flu season.
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) immunity required via positive titer or two vaccines. Religious exemptions not accepted. If titers are negative or equivocal, candidate must provide proof of vaccination or receive boosters.
• Hepatitis B immunity required via completed vaccine series, positive titer, or declination.
• Varicella immunity required via positive titer or two vaccines; negative titers require boosters.

Additional Requirements

• Unit-specific skills checklist required and must be updated annually.
• Copy of resume or employment application required.
• Two-part interview process: initial screening with Float Pool Leader within 24-48 hours of submission, followed by possible interview with NICU unit manager based on initial feedback.

Notes

• Candidate must be willing to comply with float expectations and assignments across multiple units and campuses.
• Legal name on all documents must match RN license and certifications exactly, including middle name if applicable.
• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required for this position.

This summary includes all relevant information for healthcare recruiters and workers considering this NICU Registered Nurse travel contract opportunity.