Registered Nurse - Pediatric Behavioral & Neurodevelopmental

Job Description

Job Description

Registered Nurse (RN) – Pediatric Behavioral & Neurodevelopmental Services

Nexus Children's Hospital – Dallas
Department: Nursing
Reports To: Nurse Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt/Non-Exempt | Full-Time, Part-Time & PRN Opportunities | 12-Hour Shifts Available

Join a Different Kind of Pediatric Hospital

At Nexus Children's Hospital – Dallas , our nurses care for some of the most medically and behaviorally complex pediatric patients in the country. Unlike traditional pediatric hospitals, our specialized programs serve children and adolescents with severe autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, neurological disorders, and complex medical needs requiring an integrated, interdisciplinary approach. The Dallas campus features the New Directions Program for severe autism and neurodevelopmental disorders alongside the Rise Program for pediatric neurorehabilitation, supported by sensory rooms, rehabilitation gyms, and a collaborative team of physicians, therapists, behavior analysts, and nurses.

If you're looking for a nursing career where you can build meaningful relationships with patients, improve quality of life, and make a lasting impact beyond acute care, we'd love to meet you.

Position Summary

The Registered Nurse (RN) delivers compassionate, evidence-based nursing care to pediatric patients with neurodevelopmental disorders, behavioral health diagnoses, neurological injuries, and complex medical conditions. Working within a highly structured therapeutic environment, the RN partners with physicians, psychiatry, rehabilitation therapists, behavior specialists, and families to promote medical stability, behavioral progress, communication, independence, and successful transition back to home and community.

This role is ideal for nurses who thrive in a collaborative environment and are passionate about caring for children with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual and developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, seizure disorders, genetic disorders, and other complex neurological diagnoses.

What Makes This Role Unique

• Care for pediatric patients with severe autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in one of the nation's most specialized inpatient settings.
• Work alongside BCBAs, psychiatrists, pediatricians, neurologists, PM&R physicians, psychologists, speech, occupational, and physical therapists.
• Support children requiring both medical management and behavioral intervention in a therapeutic hospital environment.
• Build long-term therapeutic relationships rather than short acute-care encounters.
• Utilize trauma-informed, patient-centered approaches that emphasize dignity, communication, and individualized care.
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment planning that directly impacts patient outcomes and family success after discharge.

Essential Responsibilities

• Deliver safe, compassionate nursing care to pediatric patients with complex behavioral, neurological, and medical conditions.
• Complete comprehensive nursing assessments and develop individualized plans of care.
• Monitor neurological status, behavioral changes, and overall clinical condition while recognizing early signs of deterioration.
• Administer medications, treatments, and therapeutic interventions in accordance with physician orders.
• Utilize therapeutic communication and evidence-based behavioral de-escalation techniques.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to support individualized treatment goals.
• Maintain a safe, structured therapeutic environment while supporting positive behavioral outcomes.
• Educate and support patients, caregivers, and families throughout the continuum of care.
• Accurately document assessments, interventions, and patient progress in the electronic medical record.
• Respond appropriately to medical emergencies and behavioral crises while maintaining patient dignity and safety.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and continuous professional development.

Ideal Candidate

We're looking for nurses who are passionate about serving children whose medical needs extend beyond traditional pediatric care.

Experience in any of the following is highly valued:

• Pediatric Behavioral Health
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Pediatric Neurology
• Pediatric Rehabilitation
• Brain Injury Rehabilitation
• Psychiatric Nursing
• Pediatric Critical Care
• Medical-Behavioral Nursing

Qualifications

Required

• Current Texas RN License (or eligibility)
• Graduate of an accredited nursing program
• Current BLS Certification

Preferred

• Pediatric experience
• Behavioral Health or Psychiatric Nursing experience
• Experience working with autism or neurodevelopmental populations
• CPI or crisis intervention certification (or willingness to obtain)
• PALS preferred

Why Nurses Choose Nexus

At Nexus Children's Hospital – Dallas, you'll have the opportunity to practice nursing in a setting where medical excellence and behavioral expertise come together. Our nurses are empowered to think critically, collaborate across disciplines, and celebrate meaningful milestones—whether helping a child communicate for the first time, reducing self-injurious behaviors, or preparing a family for a successful transition home.

If you're seeking more than a bedside job—and want a career where every day makes a lasting difference—we invite you to join our team.