Registered Nurse (December 2026 grad) NICU

Duke Careers; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Duke University Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) seeks a Registered Nurse graduating in December 2026 for an on-site role in Durham, NC. You will plan, provide, and document professional nursing care for critically ill neonates within a multidisciplinary team.

The position includes three 12-hour shifts, rotating days and nights, with 2–4 weekend shifts per four-week period. A relocation assistance of $3,000 is offered for eligible applicants.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 interdisciplinary 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.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

Associate’s Degree in Nursing

Nursing Diploma program

Job description

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Registered Nurse (December 2026 grad) NICU

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Requisition Number: 274454

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Sep 16, 2026

What you can expect

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‑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 interdisciplinary 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.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas - an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

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.

Nearest Major Market: DurhamNearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.