(RN) New Grad Registered Nurse - Neonatal ICU - 141812

University of California San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health is seeking a New Grad RN for the Neonatal ICU to care for critically ill neonates at Jacobs Medical Center and Hillcrest. The role includes orientation, precepting, and involvement in the Nurse Residency program, with emphasis on critical thinking and compassionate care.

New grads will participate in the dedicated transition-to-practice program, guided by experienced clinicians, and may train across both campuses in La Jolla and Hillcrest.

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited school of Nursing.
• California RN license by start date; interim permits may be considered.
• BLS/CPR certification at time of hire with commitment to obtain BART within six months.
• Current Advanced NRP certification (AAP/AHA affiliated).
• Licensure/certification required by cohort start date (March 5, 2027).
• Less than six months of RN experience required.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to function in a fast-paced environment with empathy and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Provide care to critically ill neonates in Level III NICU at Jacobs Medical Center and Level II NICU at Hillcrest.
• Direct and support nursing team; precept new employees and orient/train at both Jacobs Medical Center and Hillcrest.
• Attend high-risk deliveries after orientation and participate in transition-to-practice program.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

RN qualification

Job description

Payroll Title: CLIN NURSE 1

Department: NICU

Hiring Pay Scale: $65.64 / Hour

Worksite: Jacobs Medical Center

Appointment Type: Career

Appointment Percent: 90%

Union: NX Contract

Total Openings: 4

Work Schedule: Nights, Some day shifts required due to new grad training, 12-Hour Shifts, Sunday-Saturday

#141812 (RN) New Grad Registered Nurse - Neonatal ICU

Filing Deadline: Thu 10/22/2026

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 10/15/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

This posting is for our March 2027 Nurse Residency Program Cohort.

Please note, once your application has been submitted, no changes or updates can be made. If you withdraw your application, you will be unable to re-apply.

DESCRIPTION

UC San Diego Health is proud to be a four-time Magnet-designated organization and has now earned Magnet with Distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Magnet is the gold standard for nursing excellence, achieved by only about 10% of hospitals worldwide. Magnet with Distinction is awarded to the highest-performing Magnet organizations, with only a select few earning this prestigious honor. This recognition reflects our commitment to transformational leadership, professional nursing excellence, innovation, exceptional patient outcomes, and an empowering practice environment where nurses thrive.

The NICU RN provides care to critically ill neonate patients in the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care unit at Jacobs Medical Center as well as the Level II Neonatal Intensive Care unit at Hillcrest.

The patient population includes premature, surgical, septic and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. We offer high frequency ventilation, therapeutic hypothermia, surgical and imaging services, and lactation consultations. The RN directs and acts as resource to other members of the nursing team as assigned, supports student learning, and is willing to precept new employees. NICU RNs will be required to attend high-risk deliveries after a full orientation. Those successful will have excellent critical thinking and time management skills and be self-motivated, patient advocates, and effective communicators.

The NICU Newly Licensed RN will orient and train at both Jacobs Medical Center in La Jolla and Hillcrest. After completing training, NICU Nurses will work at both Locations.

The New Graduate Nurse Transition to Practice Program is accredited with distinction as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs. This program is multi-faceted and designed to support our New Grads with a comprehensive transition-to-practice experience through enhanced clinical learning, patient simulation activities, hands‑on skill training and so much more!

Under general supervision, the New Grad RN identifies and implements nursing interventions and evaluates results for a wide variety of patient populations. Directs and acts as resource to other members of the nursing team as assigned. Promotes compliance and support of policies. Achieves trust in professional collegial relationships.

Learn more about UCSD Nursing!

While not required, a cover letter is highly recommended when applying to this position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be a graduate from an accredited school of Nursing.


• California RN license by start date. Depending on applicant pool, may consider interim permits.


• BLS/CPR certification at time of hire with commitment to get BART within six (6) months of hire date.


• Current Advanced NRP certification (with AAP/AHA affiliation).


• Licensure and certification are not required at time of application but will be required by the cohort start date of March 5, 2027.


• Must have less than six (6) months of working RN experience.


• Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.


• Must be able to function in a fast-paced environment, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and consistently demonstrate empathy and kindness to all staff and patients.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BSN.


• Prior clinical work experience in specialty area.


• Externship (outside of required clinical hours) on a similar unit.


• Prior UCSD experience.


• Bilingual.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work various hours, days of the week, shifts, and locations based on the 24-hour Medical Center's business needs.


• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $137,056 - $137,056 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $65.64 - $65.64

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands‑on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health is the only academic health system in the San Diego region, providing leading-edge care in patient care, biomedical research, education, and community service. Our facilities include two university hospitals, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, the only Burn Center in the county, and dozens of outpatient clinics. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. \"Misconduct\" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy


• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy


• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace