Registered Nurse (Experienced) - PICU

Duke University Health System; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Assistance

Total Rewards

Job summary

Duke University Health System's Duke Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (2B, Duke Central Tower) seeks an experienced RN to provide and coordinate critical care for pediatric patients. The 16-bed unit uses advanced therapies and requires strong clinical judgment in a Level I trauma center.

After orientation of 8–16 weeks, you will join a rotating 12-hour shift schedule, with three shifts per week and opportunities to lead or precept, supporting patient- and family-centered care.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited BSN/ADN or diploma nursing program.
• All RNs without a BSN must enroll within two years and complete within seven years of hire.
• Current RN licensure in North Carolina or compact state; BLS certification required.

Responsibilities

• Plan, provide, supervise, and document professional nursing care with clinical judgment.
• Delegate tasks, supervise care team, and act as team leader or charge nurse as needed.
• Monitor the care environment and ensure proper use of equipment and resources.
• Support professional development by maintaining competencies and acting as a preceptor.
• Collaborate with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams to educate and advocate.

Skills

Clinical judgment

Teamwork

Communication

Education

BSN, ADN, or diploma nursing program

Tools

BLS certification

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. Orientation lasts 8 to 16 weeks, depending on experience.

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 for Experienced Nurses: Up to $7,000. Relocation assistance may be available for experienced nurse candidates relocating from a permanent residence located at least 50 miles from Duke University Hospital. A permanent residence is defined as the address listed on a valid government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license). Temporary housing—including student housing, dormitories, travel assignments, or other short-term accommodations—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, supervise, and document professional nursing care while applying clinical judgment to individualize care.
• Delegate tasks, supervise care team members, and serve as team leader or charge nurse as needed.
• Monitor care environment and ensure proper use and maintenance of equipment and resources.
• Support professional development by maintaining competencies, acting as a preceptor, and participating in improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams while educating and advocating for patient needs.

What you will need

• Graduate of an accredited BSN, ADN, or diploma nursing program.
• All RNs without a BSN must enroll within two years and complete within seven years of hire.
• Current RN licensure in North Carolina or compact state.
• BLS certification required.
• Strong clinical judgment, communication, teamwork, and multitasking skills in a critical care environment.

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.