Neonatal ICU (NICU) Nurse

Who you'd be caring for

Premature and critically ill neonates, from feeder-growers through 23-week micro-preemies depending on level.

What the shift actually looks like

Micro-preemies on high-frequency ventilation at one end and feeder-growers at the other, sometimes on the same assignment. Deliveries pull nurses out of the unit at short notice, and hands-on care is clustered to protect neonatal rest cycles.

What you need to hold

Typically required

BLS, NRP; STABLE; RNC-NIC valued

Typical ratio

1:1 to 1:3 depending on acuity level

What to ask before you accept

Unit level, whether they will attend deliveries, and whether the unit does surgical or cooling cases.

We put those questions to the facility at intake so you get a straight answer before you commit, not after your first shift.

Why this role is in demand

Level designation is everything. A Level II nurse cannot cover Level IV, and the credentials look identical on a resume if you do not ask. For you, that is leverage — the narrower the skill set, the smaller the pool you are competing against and the better the assignments you get offered.

Travel, per diem or permanent?

Travel pays the most and moves you every 8–26 weeks. Local contract gets you contract rates without relocating. Per diem lets you pick up shifts around your own schedule. Permanent when you want to settle, build seniority and stop packing.

Working with us

We tell you the rate, the unit and the shift pattern before you commit, and we ask permission before every single submittal — you will never find out you were put forward somewhere after the fact. One recruiter handles you from the first call through to your last shift.

Placement is always free to you. Our fee is paid by the facility. Join the network and we will only call you when something genuinely fits.