Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse (PICU RN) – California Travel Nursing Contract

Advance your pediatric critical care nursing career with a 12-week PICU travel nurse contract in Oakland, California. This opportunity is designed for an experienced PICU Registered Nurse who is confident caring for neonates, infants, children, and adolescents in a Level I trauma center with complex cardiac and neurological cases. Join a collaborative multidisciplinary environment with approximately 23 beds, a 2:1 patient-to-nurse ratio, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of critically ill pediatric patients.

Travel Nursing Job Details

• Location: Oakland, California
• Setting: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit within a teaching hospital and Level I trauma center
• Weekly Estimated Pay: $2,200-$2,320
• Start Date: October 27, 2026
• Assignment Duration: 12 weeks
• Schedule: 3 shifts per week
• Shift Duration: 12-hour night shifts, approximately 7:00 p.m.-7:30 a.m.
• Patient Ratio: Approximately 2 patients per nurse
• Patient Population: Neonates, infants, pediatric patients, and adolescents
• Weekend Coverage: Required
• Orientation: 24 hours
• Charting: Epic
• Schedule Flexibility: Ability to float to other nearby facilities or departments as needed based on qualifications

Located in the vibrant East Bay, Oakland offers a dynamic blend of cultural experiences, diverse neighborhoods, excellent dining, and access to beautiful parks and outdoor recreation. Its convenient location provides easy access to the broader San Francisco Bay Area while maintaining a distinct community character.

PICU Travel Nurse Job Requirements

• Active California Registered Nurse license in hand
• Minimum of 5 years of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) nursing experience
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required
• Current American Heart Association BLS certification
• Current PALS certification
• Recent experience in a teaching hospital required
• Epic charting experience required
• Strong pediatric critical care assessment, prioritization, and emergency response skills
• Previous charge nurse experience preferred
• Pediatric CVICU experience preferred
• Trauma Level I experience preferred
• Ability to support floating assignments when needed and meet facility compliance requirements

Pediatric Critical Care RN Responsibilities

• Deliver comprehensive, evidence-based nursing care to critically ill pediatric patients in a fast-paced PICU
• Care for patients with complex cardiac, neurological, postoperative, and multisystem conditions
• Monitor and manage ventilated patients, acute airways, tracheostomies, BiPAP/CPAP, and high-flow oxygen therapy
• Perform hemodynamic monitoring, arterial line management, central venous pressure monitoring, and interpretation of arterial blood gases
• Manage continuous infusions, IV vasopressors, sedation, antiarrhythmics, anti-seizure medications, insulin, blood products, TPN, and lipids
• Provide care for patients requiring intracranial pressure monitoring, external ventricular drains, chest tubes, and post-neurosurgical or post-cardiac surgery support
• Assist with intubation, lumbar puncture, procedural sedation, central line care, and other critical care procedures
• Recognize changes in patient condition and respond promptly to clinical deterioration or emergencies
• Collaborate with physicians, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, radiology, social services, interpreters, and other members of the care team
• Accurately document assessments, interventions, and outcomes in Epic
• Educate and support patients and families while maintaining a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to care
• Float to other qualified assignments or nearby facilities as needed to support continuity of patient care

Apply now for this California PICU travel nursing opportunity and bring your pediatric critical care expertise to Oakland’s Level I trauma center.

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.