Registered Nurse (December 2026 Grad) - NICU

Duke Clinical Research Institute; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Total Rewards

Job summary

Duke University Hospital's NICU in Durham, NC seeks a Registered Nurse graduating December 2026 to join a high-acuity, family-centered team. This full-time role offers three 12-hour shifts weekly with rotating days and nights and 2–4 weekend shifts per four weeks.

You will provide and document neonatal nursing care, collaborate with neonatologists, and participate in orientation and ongoing education. Requirements: BSN or higher, NC RN licensure (or compact), and BLS before start.

Qualifications

• BSN or higher is required.
• BSN must be obtained within seven years of start date if not already.
• Current North Carolina RN licensure or compact RN license required.
• BLS certification required prior to start date.

Responsibilities

• Plan, provide, and document professional nursing care for neonatal patients.
• Utilize the nursing process to assess and deliver individualized care.
• Collaborate with neonatologists and the interdisciplinary team to support outcomes.
• Delegate and supervise care activities and monitor patient status.
• Participate in orientation, ongoing education, and performance improvement activities.

Skills

Nursing care

Family-centered care

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) or higher

BSN required within seven years

North Carolina RN licensure or compact license

Job description

Registered Nurse (December 2026 Grad) - NICU

Duke University Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a high-acuity, high-volume neonatal program that provides care for more than 1,000 infants each year. The unit includes the Special Care Nursery, Transitional Care Nursery, and Intensive Care Nursery, offering a full spectrum of neonatal care. Patient populations include critically ill and medically complex newborns, including extremely low birth weight infants, infants with congenital and genetic anomalies, and those requiring long-term or palliative support. Nurses work within a multidisciplinary team in a collaborative, family-centered care environment.

Schedule:

• Full time, three 12-hour shifts per week
• Rotating day and night shifts: 7 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. - 7:30 a.m.
• Minimum of 2-4 weekend shifts per four-week scheduling period

Incentives & Total Rewards:

• Relocation Assistance: $3,000. Relocation is offered to employees relocating from a permanent residence located at least 50 miles from Duke University Hospital. A permanent residence is typically defined as the address listed on a valid government-issued ID (e.g., driver's license). Temporary housing, such as dormitories or student apartments, does not qualify.
• Total Rewards: A comprehensive set of pay and benefits designed to support your well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance. Learn more here.

What you can expect

Location: 2301 Erwin Rd, Durham, 27710, NC

Duke University Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a high-acuity, high-volume neonatal program that provides care for more than 1,000 infants each year. The unit includes the Special Care Nursery, Transitional Care Nursery, and Intensive Care Nursery, offering a full spectrum of neonatal care. Patient populations include critically ill and medically complex newborns, including extremely low birth weight infants, infants with congenital and genetic anomalies, and those requiring long-term or palliative support. Nurses work within a multidisciplinary team in a collaborative, family-centered care environment.

Schedule:

• Full time, three 12-hour shifts per week
• Rotating day and night shifts: 7 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. - 7:30 a.m.
• Minimum of 2-4 weekend shifts per four-week scheduling period

Incentives & Total Rewards:

• Relocation Assistance: $3,000. Relocation is offered to employees relocating from a permanent residence located at least 50 miles from Duke University Hospital. A permanent residence is typically defined as the address listed on a valid government-issued ID (e.g., driver's license). Temporary housing, such as dormitories or student apartments, does not qualify.
• Total Rewards: A comprehensive set of pay and benefits designed to support your well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance. Learn more here.

How you will make an impact

• Plan, provide, and document professional nursing care in accordance with provider orders, established policies, and procedures, while ensuring safe and developmentally appropriate care for neonatal patients.
• Utilize the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualized care for neonatal patients and their families in a high-acuity environment.
• Collaborate with neonatologists and the interdiscipline team to support optimal patient outcomes and continuity of care.
• Delegate and supervise care activities for licensed and unlicensed personnel and monitor patient status to initiate timely interventions.
• Participate in orientation, ongoing education, performance improvement, and shared governance activities while supporting families through education and emotional support.

What you will need

• Graduation from an accredited Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (or higher), Associate's Degree in Nursing, or Nursing Diploma program
• BSN required within seven years of start date if not already obtained
• Current or eligible North Carolina RN licensure or compact RN license required
• BLS certification required prior to start date

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

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Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.