Are you a NICU nurse who is craving freedom, wants to explore new cities, and needs a paycheck that meets your expertise? Then travel nursing is just the right option for you. NICU travel nursing combines the thrill of travelling and a passion for critical care nursing. Imagine waking up in a new city every contract and doing what you love the most-i.e., providing care for the critically ill patients and making real change in the world of healthcare. In this blog, we will guide you on how to become a travel NICU nurse, its requirements, and its benefits. Let’s dive in and answer your most asked questions.
Things you should know before becoming NICU travel nurse
If you want adventure, flexibility, freedom, and career growth then becoming NICU travel nurse can be your best move. But here are some important things that you should know before saying yes to the assignment.
You need solid NICU experience
It is important to know that hospitals and travel nursing agencies want travel nurses to have at least 1 to 2 years of experience before they apply for travel nursing assignments. This experience helps NICU nurses to adjust to the new environment quickly and navigate through challenges easily.
Certifications Matter
Certifications matter because they boost nurses’ confidence, skills, and, of course, hiring potential. Some of the certificates that NICU nurses may consider are as follows:
- BLS certificate: Basic Life Support which all healthcare providers require.
- NRP certificate: Neonatal Resuscitation Program
- STABLE program certification: Focuses on post-resuscitation care of newborns.
- RNC-NIC (Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing)
- C-NPT (Certified Neonatal Pediatric Transport)
- PALS – Pediatric Advanced Life Support
You might feel like an outsider
We know travel nurses work in new hospitals or healthcare facilities every assignment, which means new policies, new people, new team. You, as a travel nurse, may feel like an outsider all the time. which no doubt can also be overwhelming. Travel nurses should always be adaptable and quick to learn new things. The best tip is while on a contract, always ask questions so there is no confusion, communicate with your team, and carry a notebook to write small details about the hospital policy. For best travel nursing jobs, sign up with SkillGigs.
Securing housing can be tricky
In travel nursing (including NICU travel nurses), housing is provided, sometimes it is a furnished house and sometimes it is a housing stipend. For travel nurses housing can be tricky. It is ideal to look for the following:
- Is it near the facility? It will save you travel time.
- Is it furnished? Of course, you don’t want to buy stuff for just a few weeks.
- Is the housing stipend enough? Some states are more expensive than others. Make sure your housing stipend covers renting.
To know more about housing read our blog “The Ultimate Guide to Travel Nurse Housing and Rentals” and to look for best travel nursing jobs, sign up with Skill Gigs.
Licensing and documentation
For travel nurses, it is important that their licenses and documentation are always up to date. If you have a compact state nursing license, then you can easily apply for travel nursing jobs in the participating states. Otherwise, to work legally, you will require a separate license for each state. One thing to keep in mind is that before you say yes to the contract, it is important that your documents are complete and up to date. This will save you a lot of time and hassle, and you can board as soon as possible. Keep these important documents on hand:
- Driving license
- Nursing license
- Certifications
- Immunization records
- Resume
Don’t overpack or underpack
A travel nurse’s contract is typically for 13 weeks, and therefore, it is important for nurses to pack wisely. The first thing to look for is to know what is provided and then pack accordingly. Overpacking or underpacking can both be a problem.
- Skill Gigs is here for you
- Working with the wrong recruiters can create problems, and therefore choosing SkillGigs is a wise choice to skip all the drama. Skill Gigs is an AI platform that matches you with the jobs that best meet your needs.
- Sign up with SkillGigs and browse NICU travel nursing jobs and bid directly.
- With SkillGigs, you can see the pay rate, job details, and talk to the employers directly.
- Our team will support you through the process and make your travel nursing experience the best.
- So why wait? Find best NICU travel nursing jobs with Skill Gigs.
What is the salary for NICU travel nurses in 2025?
NICU travel nursing pay depends on location, healthcare facility, experience, etc., but the average salary for NICU travel nurses in 2025 is $3,000 to $3,800/ week.
How much experience do you need to become a NICU travel nurse?
You need at least 1 to 2 years of solid experience before applying for NICU travel nursing jobs. This experience helps you to adjust quickly and navigate the challenges of the new environment with minimal orientation.
Is it hard to become a travel NICU nurse?
No, becoming a NICU travel nurse is not hard; you just need the right education, experience, and certifications. In the beginning, it might feel challenging, but once you get used to it, it can be the best decision of your life. One of the most important things for travel nurses to really succeed in the travel nursing world is flexibility and adaptation skills.
Where can I find travel NICU nursing jobs?
SkillGigs lets you choose your own assignment, pay rate and location. If you want to work on your own terms, then SkillGigs is the best platform. You can sign up, browse jobs, and bid on the one that best matches your interests.
Conclusion
With the right experience, education, and mindset, you can turn your passion for neonatal care into an adventure. To succeed in NICU travel nursing, you need to be flexible. Becoming a NICU travel nurse is not hard, but you always have to be prepared. Keep in mind, as a neonatal travel nurse, you need to get the assignments that best match your interests, and that’s why SkillGigs is here for you. You can browse the NICU jobs and bid on one that catches your eye.
