NICU | Registered Nurse

Travel NICU Registered Nurse (RN) – Level III NICU Contract in Apple Valley, California

Explore a California travel nursing opportunity for an experienced NICU Registered Nurse (RN) caring for critically ill and premature newborns in a specialized Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Apple Valley. Join a collaborative clinical team with advanced neonatal equipment, strong support services, and convenient access to the greater Southern California region.

Travel Nursing Job Details

• Specialty: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Registered Nurse
• Healthcare Setting: Level III NICU within an acute care hospital
• Location: Apple Valley, California
• Weekly Estimated Pay: $2,130–$2,250
• Start Date: November 17, 2026
• Contract Duration: 13 weeks
• Schedule: Three 12-hour night shifts per week, approximately 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
• Hours: Approximately 36 hours per week
• Weekend Requirement: Approximately every other weekend; weekend frequency may increase based on unit needs
• Call: Not required
• Unit Profile: 14-bed Level III NICU with approximately 190 births per month and acuity-based ratios of up to 1:3
• Charting: Epic electronic medical record
• Floating: May float to Mother-Baby for neonatal care; nurses with couplet-care experience may float more fully
• Orientation: Approximately 36 hours
• Scrubs: Navy blue for registered nurses
• Parking: Free parking available

NICU Registered Nurse Job Requirements

• Active California Registered Nurse license or compact license in hand at submission
• At least 2 years of registered nursing experience, including at least 1 year of recent NICU nursing experience
• Recent Level III NICU experience is required
• Experience caring for neonates and infants, including premature infants and patients approximately 29–34 weeks gestation
• Current BLS certification
• NRP certification; advanced NRP is preferred or may be required before the start date
• Current PALS certification
• Epic charting experience
• Community hospital experience
• Strong competency in neonatal assessment, respiratory support, medication administration, vascular access, and neonatal critical-care monitoring
• Ability to work night shifts, alternating weekends, and holiday coverage as scheduled
• Two professional references covering at least 1 year of recent experience may be requested during the compliance process

NICU Registered Nurse Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing care to premature, critically ill, and medically complex neonates in a Level III NICU
• Monitor and manage respiratory support, including CPAP, BiPAP, high-frequency ventilation, oscillators, Vapotherm, and ventilators
• Care for newborns with respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal sepsis, hypoglycemia, jaundice, neonatal abstinence syndrome, and feeding-related needs
• Perform neonatal assessments, APGAR scoring, developmental care, thermoregulation, and family education
• Administer medications, blood products, surfactants, antibiotics, antivirals, steroids, insulin, and titratable vasoactive medications according to orders and policy
• Manage central lines, PICC lines, midlines, umbilical arterial and venous catheters, arterial lines, and other neonatal vascular access
• Assist with high-risk deliveries, intubations, lumbar punctures, spinal taps, ROP examinations, and other specialized neonatal procedures
• Support enteral nutrition through bottle, breast, gavage, and feeding tubes, including breast milk handling and breastfeeding support
• Recognize changes in patient condition and collaborate with providers, respiratory services, pharmacy, radiology, social services, and families
• Maintain accurate documentation in Epic and follow infection prevention, isolation, and patient-safety standards
• Float to the Mother-Baby unit or nearby comparable units when assigned and provide safe, patient-centered neonatal care

About Apple Valley, California

Located in Southern California’s High Desert, Apple Valley offers scenic mountain views, outdoor recreation, and convenient access to the region’s communities and attractions. This travel NICU nursing assignment is an opportunity to advance your clinical experience while serving newborn patients and families in a supportive hospital environment.

Apply now for this Level III NICU travel nurse contract in Apple Valley, California.

Benefits

401K with Matching, Healthcare, Dental and Vision

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity across our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.