Registered Nurse (December 2026 Grad) - PICU

Duke University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Total rewards

Job summary

Duke University Hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Durham seeks a compassionate, seasoned nurse to deliver expert care to critically ill children. You will develop and implement care plans, monitor patients, and coordinate with a multidisciplinary team to ensure optimal outcomes.

The role emphasizes professional development, collaboration, and adherence to policies. A full-time schedule includes rotating day and night shifts to cover 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Qualifications

• ICU rotations in nursing preferred.
• BSN graduation preferred; RN with other credentials acceptable with plan to pursue BSN.
• Active RN licensure in North Carolina or compact state.

Responsibilities

• Plan and provide professional nursing care for pediatric ICU patients.
• Utilize nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care.
• Delegate tasks and supervise licensed and unlicensed staff.
• Collaborate with healthcare team to support patient care and care environment.
• Participate in professional development and education of staff and learners.

Skills

ICU nursing

Collaborative care

Patient assessment

Education

BSN

ADN

Nursing Diploma

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

What you can expect

Location: 2301 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27705.

The Duke Pediatric Intensive Care Unit is a 16-bed unit in Duke Central Tower (2B) at Duke University Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center. The unit specializes in cardiovascular surgery, respiratory failure, neurosurgery, stem cell transplantation, immunodeficiencies, hematologic and oncologic emergencies, sepsis, multi-organ system dysfunction, and congenital heart disease. Advanced treatment options include extracorporeal life support (ECMO), high-frequency ventilation, nitric oxide therapy, and non-invasive ventilation.

Schedule

• Full time: Three 12-hour shifts per week, rotating days and nights (7 a.m./7 p.m.), for 36 hours per week.

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 and provide professional nursing care for patients in accordance with medical and nursing plans of care and established policies and procedures.
• Utilize the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care in accordance with physician orders.
• Delegate tasks and supervise activities of licensed and unlicensed care providers.
• Collaborate with healthcare team members to support patient care and maintain the care environment.
• Participate in professional development, performance improvement initiatives, and support education of staff and learners.

What you will need

• ICU clinical rotations in any setting; Pediatric ICU senior capstone preferred.
• Graduation from an accredited Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (or higher), Associate's Degree in Nursing, or Nursing Diploma program.
• All registered nurses without a BSN must enroll in a BSN program within two years and complete within five years.
• Current registration with North Carolina State Board of Nursing or compact RN licensure.
• BLS Certification required.

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.