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

Make a meaningful impact as a NICU Registered Nurse in a Level III neonatal intensive care unit in Apple Valley, California. This 13-week California travel nursing assignment offers the opportunity to care for critically ill and premature newborns in a 14-bed NICU serving approximately 190 births each month. Join a collaborative neonatal care team supported by respiratory services, radiology, pharmacy, social services, interpretation services, and unit leadership while enjoying the natural beauty and outdoor recreation of California’s High Desert region.

NICU Travel Nurse Job Details

• Weekly Estimated Pay: $2,050-$2,160
• Location: Apple Valley, California
• Healthcare Setting: On-site, Level III NICU within an acute care hospital
• Start Date: October 20, 2026
• Assignment Duration: 13 weeks
• Nursing Schedule: Night shifts, 3 shifts per week
• Shift Duration: 12-hour shifts, approximately 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
• Hours: 36 hours per week
• Weekend Coverage: Approximately every other weekend; additional weekend coverage may be required based on unit needs
• Call: Not required
• Electronic Medical Record: Epic charting
• Patient Population: Neonates and infants, including premature newborns, feeders and growers, and patients with respiratory distress, sepsis, hypoglycemia, jaundice, and neonatal abstinence syndrome
• Floating: May float to Mother-Baby for neonatal care; full floating may be required for nurses with couplet-care experience
• Scheduling: Block schedules are not available. All requested time off and scheduling needs must be submitted up front.

NICU Registered Nurse Job Requirements

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license eligible to practice in California; compact license must be active and in hand at submission when applicable
• At least 2 years of professional RN experience, including a minimum of 1 year of recent NICU nursing experience
• Recent Level III NICU experience required
• Previous travel nursing experience required
• Current BLS certification
• NRP certification; advanced NRP is preferred, or willingness to obtain the advanced credential before the start date
• Current PALS certification
• Recent experience with Epic charting
• Strong neonatal assessment, medication administration, clinical judgment, and patient-family education skills
• Ability to care for patients with varying acuity and ratios of up to 1:3 based on patient needs
• Ability to work required weekends and commit to working 3 of 5 designated holidays when scheduled

NICU Registered Nurse Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing care to premature and critically ill neonates in a Level III NICU
• Monitor respiratory status and manage oxygen delivery systems, bubble CPAP, HFNC, Vapotherm, ventilators, and high-frequency oscillators
• Administer and titrate medications, including IV vasopressors, antibiotics, antivirals, insulin, steroids, fentanyl, and Versed, according to orders and unit protocols
• Manage UACs, UVCs, PICC lines, midlines, central lines, arterial lines, chest tubes, and other neonatal equipment
• Perform neonatal assessments, dysrhythmia monitoring, blood glucose monitoring, thermoregulation, phototherapy, and developmental care
• Support feeding plans, including bottle, breast, gavage, and breast milk handling
• Assist with high-risk deliveries, intubations, lumbar punctures, ROP examinations, sepsis workups, and other specialized neonatal procedures
• Recognize and respond to neonatal conditions such as respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, neonatal sepsis, seizures, meconium aspiration, hyperbilirubinemia, and hypoglycemia
• Educate and support patients’ families, including breastfeeding guidance and care-plan communication
• Collaborate with providers and interdisciplinary teams to promote safe, evidence-based, family-centered care
• Accurately document assessments, interventions, and patient responses in Epic

Apply now for this NICU Registered Nurse travel contract in Apple Valley, California, and join a dedicated neonatal healthcare team.

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.