NICU Registered Nurse
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey
Specialty: Registered Nurse (RN)
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Must have availability for half of the winter holidays.
• Patient Ratios:

  • NICU: 1:2
  • SCN: 1:3/4
• RN must have 2+ years of current Level III NICU experience (facility is Level IV but accepts Level III travelers).
• First-time travelers accepted.
• Schedule: Every other weekend and holiday.
• Certifications required: BLS, NRP; PALS preferred.
• Will float to NBN, SCN, Pediatrics, and PICU as appropriate.
• No block scheduling.
• Locals accepted.
• Patient Mix: 21-bed NICU & 16-bed SCN. Will not attend high-risk deliveries.
• Required skills: EPIC, CPAP, HFNC, ETT; Oscillators, Jet ventilation, glucose monitoring, insulin administration, breastfeeding support, feedings, placement/management of oral/nasogastric/nasojejunal tubes, sepsis workups, UAC/UVC/A-lines/Central lines, IV vasopressor administration.
• Preferred skills: Criticool and transport experience.

Required Certifications & Competencies

• BLS (Basic Life Support): AHA required; RQI and instructor cards acceptable.
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program): AHA required; accepted for NICU, L&D, Mother-Baby, Nursery, Antepartum, Special Care Nursery.
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support): Preferred but not required for NICU; required for ED, Outpatient Surgery, PACU, PICU, and Pediatrics.
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support): Not required for NICU.
• Medication Test/Pharmacology Competency Exam: Required for all RNs; must be completed within 72 hours of signing contract.
• Competency Exams (including Dysrhythmia/EKG): Required as applicable; must be completed within 72 hours of signing.
• Pass/Fail Testing (EKG/Medication): Pharmacology and Basic EKG exams required for clinical staff in relevant units.
• Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB): Required for ER, Pediatric ER, and Behavioral Health RNs (not NICU).
• Other Certifications: Chemotherapy certification if applicable; Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) if applicable.

Licensure & Background Requirements

• Valid RN license for New Jersey.
• NURSYS verification required.
• Employment application or resume with 7 years of work history.
• Work history verification required for New Jersey candidates (minimum 1 year prior to start, allowing 30-day gaps or less).
• 2 references within the last 2 years, including at least one managerial reference.
• Criminal background check required within 30 days of start, including alias and multi-level searches. No open cases allowed.
• Drug screen required within 30 days of start (10-panel minimum).
• E-Verify required.
• State-specific exclusions list check (New Jersey Department of Treasury).

Health & Safety Requirements

• Negative TB test or chest X-ray within required timeframes; additional clearance if history of positive TB.
• Physical exam within 12 months, cleared to perform essential job functions and free of communicable disease.
• Influenza vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required annually.
• Fit test and respiratory medical clearance required prior to start (on-site fit testing mandatory).
• Color blindness testing if job tasks require color discrimination.
• Hepatitis B immunity or vaccination compliance required.
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) and Varicella immunity or vaccination required.
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccination within past 10 years required.
• Latex allergy screening questionnaire if applicable.

Facility Specific Requirements

• Must complete floating policy for every new assignment or site transfer.
• Annual education sign-off and safety manual acknowledgment required.
• Vendor medical clearance form required if history of positive TB.
• Annual education and competency updates required.
• Must complete facility-specific orientation videos and attestations (e.g., Baxter Orientation for RNs).
• Must complete flu attestation for 2024-2025 season or have exemption on file.

Scheduling & Work Environment

• Every other weekend and holiday coverage required.
• No block scheduling.
• Floating to related units (NBN, SCN, Pediatrics, PICU) as needed.
• Patient care focused on NICU and SCN populations; no high-risk deliveries.

Summary

This travel RN contract position in New Brunswick, NJ requires a minimum of 2 years Level III NICU experience, with strong neonatal and pediatric critical care skills. The role demands flexibility for holiday and weekend shifts, multiple certifications, and compliance with extensive health, safety, and background requirements. The facility supports first-time travelers and locals alike, with a focus on high-quality neonatal care in a Level IV NICU environment.