Pediatric Nurse NICU full time

CHS Children's Hospital and Health System, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Children's Wisconsin is seeking Registered Nurses for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The 76-bed unit cares for critically ill newborns and supports families from admission to discharge.

Roles include assessment, planning, and delivery of complex care with a multidisciplinary team. Ideal candidates hold an ADN with BSN preferred, have RN licensure in Wisconsin (or applicable state licenses), and demonstrate strong communication, critical thinking, and family-centered care.

Qualifications

• ADN required
• BSN preferred
• Current RN license in Wisconsin or eligible multi-state/licensing across MO/IN/TN may be required.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate neonatal care to critically ill newborns.
• Deliver evidence-based nursing care and coordinate with interdisciplinary teams.
• Advocate for patients and families and support learning for staff and families.
• Rotate shifts and participate in weekends and holiday rotations as needed.

Skills

Clinical Judgment

Caring Practices

Diversity Awareness

Collaboration

Communication

Advocacy

Education

Associate's Degree ADN

Bachelor's Degree BSN preferred

Job description

At Children's Wisconsin, we believe kids deserve the best. Children's Wisconsin is a nationally recognized health system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. We provide primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. Our reputation draws patients and families from around the country.

We offer a wide variety of rewarding career opportunities and are seeking individuals dedicated to helping us achieve our vision of the healthiest kids in the country.

We are now looking for candidates to start in November 2026 and January and February 2027 prefer candidates with at least one year RN experience- critical care or NICU experience preferred but may consider December 2026 grads.

We have full time 12 hour shifts with several schedule options:

• a day/night rotating schedule (6 weeks on each shift)
• 07-1930 and 19-0730
• straight 12 hour nights. 19-0730- hourly night bonus (in addition to shift differentials)

after successfully completing orientation night shift nurses earn an additional $4 per hour night shift bonus AFTER successfully completing orientation. These schedules include an every 3rd weekend rotation and a holiday rotation. These are set assigned 6 week cyclic schedules.

We may have openings for full time WEEKEND PROGRAM on days or nights (EVERY Fri,Sat, Sun on Days OR EVERY Sat/Sun and one shift during the week for nights.) eligibility to participate in bonus program on weekend program after completing orientation. Weekend program staff also have a holiday rotation.

Must be willing to commit to hired schedule for at least 18 months after completing orientation. 6+ years wait to get to straight regular days schedule due to the size of the unit and team.

Orientation is full time for 4-6 months and could be on any shift based on preceptor assignments.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a 76-bed unit designed for the individualized care of critically ill newborns and their families from admission to discharge. These infants are admitted from a diverse geographical area for specialized medical and/or surgical needs. These infants and families are cared for by a unique blend of interdisciplinary caregivers: neonatal nurses, neonatal nurse practitioners, lactation consultants, human milk technicians, physicians, OT/PT and speech therapists, respiratory care practitioners, social workers, pharmacists, dieticians and internal case managers.

Essential Functions

• Clinical Judgment: Uses critical thinking and nursing skills in caring for patients and families which are acquired through a process of integrating education, experiential knowledge and evidence-based guidelines.
• Caring Practices: Responds to the uniqueness of patients and families by providing and coordinating care that meets those needs. Creates a compassionate therapeutic environment to promote comfort and prevent suffering. Acts within professional boundaries as per ANA code of ethics and organization code of conduct.
• Response to Diversity: Recognizes, appreciates, and incorporates differences in the provision of care. Utilizes communication skills that are respectful and non-discriminatory in a manner that is therapeutic for both the patient and the family. Incorporates patient/family values, cultural beliefs, and religious preferences in the nursing plan of care.
• Clinical Inquiry: Questions and evaluates practice, and participates in supporting or determining changes in clinical practice within the professional practice model. Seeks and applies best evidence/research in practice. Participates in continuous quality improvement to deliver safe, quality nursing care, enhance patient/family satisfaction, and improve individual skills/practice.
• Advocacy/Moral Agency: Serves as a moral agent on behalf of the patient/family. Advocates for the concerns of the patient/family/community.
• Facilitation of Learning: Facilitates patient, family and staff learning and community education. Integrates teaching and patient/family learning throughout delivery of care, including evaluation using measurable outcomes and assessment of health literacy.
• Collaboration: Works in partnership with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team to achieve optimal and realistic outcomes for the best interest of the patient/family. Evaluates what nursing care tasks can be appropriately delegated given Wisconsin statutes scope of practice for the registered nurse as well as established competencies for the technical staff that will complete the task. Coordinates care in conjunction with other care givers, physicians and other disciplines; acts as a resource/advocate to others for specific patients/families.
• Systems Thinking: Supports the missions and strategic initiatives of the hospital. Demonstrates awareness of the holistic interrelationships that exist within and across health care systems. Identifies and works toward the accomplishment of personal, unit/area and division of nursing goals. Works with patient care manager to identify possible areas for operational and capital budgeting considerations.

Education

• Associate's Degree ADN required
• Bachelor's Degree BSN preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of neonatal, pediatric and adolescent growth and development and child/family responses to fear, illness, injury and hospitalization.
• Analytical skills necessary to assess complex patient conditions effectively and to develop comprehensive plans of care. Synthesizes multiple sources of information to assist in the resolution of human responses to complex problems.
• Interpersonal and communication skills sufficient to interact effectively with interdisciplinary health team members and consumers.
• Ability to delegate patient care activities effectively to unlicensed staff as appropriate and where indicated.
• The ability to represent the organization and serve consumers in a professional manner and promote a positive image of the organization and its services.
• Mental and sensory abilities to read, process and interpret clinical data.
• Ability to rotate shifts and/or work flexible hours to meet patient care needs.
• Ability to communicate with families and work with families under stress.
• Ability to coordinate and deliver complex care utilizing a multidisciplinary approach.
• Ability to operate, trouble-shoot, and interpret a wide variety of patient care equipment.

Licenses and Certifications

• BLS-Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider - American Heart Association/American Red Cross/National Safety Council required
• NRP-Neonatal Resuscitation Provider - American Academy of Pediatrics/American Heart Association within 1 Year required
• N/A
• License RN-Registered Nurse (30)
• State of Wisconsin
• License RN-Registered Nurse (MO Compact)
• State of Missouri
• License RN-Registered Nurse (IN Compact)
• State of Indiana
• License RN-Registered Nurse (TN Compact)
• State of Tennessee

Provides care appropriate to patient population and as described in applicable policies and procedures.

Required for All Jobs

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be requested in the performance of this job.
• Employment is at-will. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise.

Children's Wisconsin is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees. We treat everyone with dignity, respect, and fairness. We do not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status or condition protected by the law.

Licenses and Certifications

• N/A
• BLS-Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider - American Heart Association/American Red Cross/National Safety Council
• License RN-Registered Nurse (30) - State of Wisconsin
• License RN-Registered Nurse (IN Compact) - State of Indiana
• License RN-Registered Nurse (MO Compact) - State of Missouri
• License RN-Registered Nurse (TN Compact) - State of Tennessee
• NRP-Neonatal Resuscitation Provider - American Academy of Pediatrics/American Heart Association

Dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. We are the region's only independent healthcare system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. In Milwaukee and throughout the state, we provide kids and their families a wide range of care and support - everything from routine care for ear aches or sore throats to life saving advances and treatment options. Our academic partner, The Medical College of Wisconsin, brings many of the nation's most well-respected doctors to our team. Together we work to ensure that every child and family we serve receives nothing but the best. Learn more about our affiliation with the Medical College of Wisconsin and the power of academic medicine.