Travel Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Jobs
A pediatric ICU nurse, also called a PICU nurse, is a critical care nurse who treats children, infants, and teenagers in the intensive care unit. A travel PICU nurse is one who takes on short-term assignments around the country, offering help where it’s most needed.
Scope of practice
A travel PICU nurse takes care of patients under 18 in intensive care units while also providing education and support to family members. They perform a number of tasks, including:
- Administering medications and treatments
- Performing in-depth assessments for critically ill children
- Obtaining blood work
- Alerting the PICU team of changes in patient statuses
- Using medical equipment like catheters and feeding tubes
- Responding to emergencies
A travel PICU nurse must also maintain meticulous patient records.
Required education and training
To become a travel PICU nurse, you need to first be a registered nurse. You can do this by getting an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing and then passing your NCLEX-RN. Once you pass the exam and receive your license, you’ll need to work as an RN for two years, preferably in a pediatric unit, to gain the necessary experience.
The next step is to get certification. The most popular option is to get a critical care registered nurse (CCRN) pediatric credential. You can then reach out to an agency like Prolink to find work as a travel PICU nurse.
Travel ICU nurse salary and benefits
As a travel PICU nurse, you can generally expect to make more than PICU nurses in permanent staff positions. Nurses with significant experience and certifications will be able to earn higher salaries. Some states pay better salaries than others, on average, so where you work also makes a difference.
- Aside from your salary, Prolink offers travel nurses a comprehensive benefits package:
- Day-one health insurance and 401(k)
- Short- and long-term disability coverage
- Life insurance
- Dental and vision coverage
Keep in mind that, as a travel nurse, you’ll also be eligible for housing and relocation stipends from your employer. These stipends tend to be tax-free.
Nationwide opportunities for PICU Travel jobs
PICU travel nursing gives you amazing opportunities to blend pediatric critical care expertise with travel adventures. Many nurses have taken their careers to new heights through this challenging yet rewarding path. Your success depends on meeting core requirements, building specialized skills, and choosing the right assignments and compensation packages.
The most successful PICU travel nurses thrive by combining technical expertise with emotional intelligence. They adapt easily to different healthcare environments. This path requires specific qualifications and dedication, but the professional and financial benefits make it worth pursuing for nurses who want growth and variety.
A successful PICU travel nursing career requires time and careful planning. You should focus on solid education and certification, gain experience through varied assignments, and choose contracts and locations wisely. Your dedication to pediatric critical care excellence and smart career decisions will help you build a rewarding career in PICU travel nursing.
Travel PICU nurse FAQs
A travel PICU nurse treats children of all ages, while a neonatal nurse only treats newborns. These two nurse types often work together, especially when a newborn needs intensive care.
A travel PICU nurse takes on assignments throughout the country, treating children who need critical care. These nurses work in specialty or community hospitals, and they perform tasks like administering treatments and medications and monitoring vital signs.
Yes. You need to become a registered nurse, so you must either obtain an associate or bachelor’s degree before you can take your NCLEX-RN.
Travel PICU nurses need excellent communication skills. Children may struggle to communicate effectively, so being able to understand them and be understood is essential. You’ll also need the ability to quickly adapt to new settings.
Take the next step in your PICU Career – explore travel opportunities today!
No matter your specialty, we have the travel nursing assignment for you. Where would you like to go? Partner with Prolink and your dedicated recruiter will match you with your ideal travel nursing role.
When you partner with Prolink, you receive an industry-leading benefits package:
- Day-one health insurance and 401(k)
- Dental and vision coverage
- Short- and long-term disability
- Life insurance
- Exclusive perks and discounts
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