Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse (RN)

Hospital Information

This facility is a Level II Trauma Center with a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a Level II Pediatric Trauma designation. It holds Magnet Status and is recognized as a Primary Stroke and Chest Pain Center. The facility is also a teaching hospital, providing comprehensive care with a capacity of 417 beds.

General Information

• Beds on Unit: 28; Average Census: 13-16
• Minimum Experience Required: 1.5 years
• First-time travelers accepted with 2+ years of experience
• Travelers must reside more than 100 miles from the facility
• Permanently employed staff must wait one year to return as travelers

Patient Types

The unit serves neonates of all gestational ages, primarily in a Level III NICU setting. Common diagnoses include low birth weight infants, those requiring high frequency ventilation, nitric oxide treatment, total body cooling, and feeders/growers. Note that ECMO and cardiac surgery are currently not managed at this facility.

Patient Ratios

Registered Nurse to Patient Ratios: 1:1 to 1:4

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program)
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• STABLE certification preferred

Required Education

Completion of a nursing education program approved by a board of nursing; must be a Registered Nurse (RN) licensed in South Dakota.

Essential Skills

• Willingness to consider 36 or 48 hour contracts
• Experience in ventilation management, IV starts, chest tube placement, IV medication titration
• Experience in neonatal resuscitation preferred, as the role includes attendance at deliveries

Support on the Unit

• CNA Ratio: 1:10
• Charge Nurse Ratio: 1:25; will attend deliveries
• Phlebotomy services provided by RN
• No dedicated IV/VAT Team; Respiratory Therapy available
• Neonatologists (3 on staff) and Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (10 on staff) provide 24/7 coverage
• Transport Team available 24/7 for transfers requiring surgery, as there is no dedicated Pediatric Surgical Team on-site
• Lactation Consultants available

Charting System and Equipment

• Electronic Health Record System: EPIC (prior experience preferred)
• Alaris infusion pumps
• Medication Dispensing: Omnicell

Floating

Floating may occur to PICU, Pediatrics, Postpartum, Newborn Nursery, and Adult units (constant observation only for overflow on pediatric unit).

Orientation

General traveler orientation plus 1 day/1 night on the unit.

Scheduling

• No required weekend rotation, but travelers may predominantly work on weekends.
• Holiday Expectations: Required for 2 out of 4 major holidays
• Time off must receive pre-approval from management

Additional Information

• Scrub Color: Navy
• Free Parking Available