Imagine providing care for precious, tiny lives while traveling to new cities. NICU travel nursing might be the job you are looking for. If you are a registered nurse and want to become a neonatal travel nurse, you have to understand the specific requirements, qualifications, and experience. In this blog, we will discuss the requirements to become a neonatal nurse.
What is a NICU nurse?
NICU stands for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where premature or critically ill newborn babies get intensive medical care. NICU travel nurses visit different cities to provide care for critically ill babies.
How to become a NICU travel nurse?
There are some requirements and things to consider before choosing neonatal nursing as a career. Some of the requirements are:
Education and certification:
- You must have your nursing degree such as BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing).
- An active RN license of the state you want to work. You can also apply for NLC to work in multiple states in the US.
- NICU nurses are required to have Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification.
- BLS certification is required by all nurses, and it should be up to date.
- Some travel nurses also get Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification.
Experience:
If you are applying for a travel NICU travel nursing job, then it is important to have at least 1-2 years of experience. Experience in ER, acute care, or ICU is considered beneficial. This experience helps NICU travel nurses to adjust quickly to the new environments and handle challenges.
Background checks and health requirements:
- Some other requirements to become a travel neonatal nurse are.
- Criminal background checks.
- Drug screening.
- Proof of immunizations such as measles, mumps, hepatitis B, etc.
- TB test and chest X-ray.
What do NICU nurses do?
Some of the duties and responsibilities of NICU nurses are.
- Continuously monitoring the vital signs of an infant.
- Administer medications and treatments.
- Placing and maintaining feeding tubes so the newborn babies can get their nutrients.
- Providing respiratory support to newborn babies if they have any difficulty breathing.
- Neonatal nurses also collaborate with other healthcare members, such as neurologists, pediatricians, and respiratory therapists, to provide comprehensive care to babies.
- NICU nurses also give emotional support to the families and educate them about the babies’ medical conditions.
- The NICU nurse is also trained to maintain and manage complex medical equipment.
- NICU nurse advocates for their babies to make sure they get the best appropriate care.
Pros and cons of becoming a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) nurse
There are some advantages and disadvantages of becoming a NICU nurse.
Pros:
- Opportunity to explore new places.
- Higher pay and benefits.
- Variety and experience in working in different healthcare settings.
- Flexibility and control over your schedule.
- Personal and professional growth.
- Work-life balance.
Cons:
- Job insecurity.
- Emotional and physical strain.
- Isolation and being away from home.
- Constantly adapting to new environments.
- Licensing and certification requirements.
- Housing and relocation challenges.
- Potential for burnout.
Tips to become a NICU travel nurse
Here are some tips to help you smoothly transition from registered nurse to NICU travel nurse.
- Gain at least 1-2 years of experience.
- Get certified.
- Choose Skill Gigs to find jobs in top healthcare facilities.
- Get your state licenses and certifications.
- Be prepared for flexibility and adapt to new healthcare settings.
- Pack wisely for your assignments.
- Develop strong and effective communication skills.
- Be prepared for emotional and physical challenges.
- Take care of logistics such as housing, travel, etc.
- Embrace travel opportunities and be open to short assignments.
- Network with other travel nurses.
What is the NICU nurse called?
The word NICU stands for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and NICU nurse is called a neonatal nurse, neonatal intensive care nurse, RNC-NIC (Registered Nurse Certified – Neonatal Intensive Care), or Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP).
Are NICU nurses in high demand?
- Yes, NICU nurses are in high demand due to the following reasons;
- Increase in premature births.
- Advances in neonatal medicine.
- Nurse shortage.
- Aging nursing workforce.
Conclusion
NICU travel nursing is a rewarding career for nurses who are enthusiastic about their job and want to explore new places. Becoming a travel NICU nurse helps nurses to grow personally and professionally as they are working in a variety of settings. NICU travel nursing has its benefits, such as high pay, exploring new cities, and working in a variety of settings, but it also has its challenges, such as emotional resilience, potential burnout, and emotional resilience. Become a travel nurse SkillGigs and download our app now. SkillGigs will help you find jobs that best meet your needs and interests and will provide you with an opportunity to work in top healthcare facilities.
