Registered Nurse (RN) II - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse

Department 10300 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Pay Range $33.08 - $60.18 Up to $20,000 Bonus Day Shift / Night Shift Rotation Weekend and Holiday Rotation

Who We Are

At Children's National Hospital, you'll be part of a Level IV NICU team delivering the highest level of neonatal care, as designated by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Our 66-bed unit brings together pediatric subspecialists, surgical teams, anesthesiologists, and highly skilled NICU nurses to care for the most complex and critically ill newborns. Recognized among the nation's best neonatology programs by U.S. News & World Report, and supported by a Magnet™-designated nursing program, we offer an environment where clinical excellence, innovation, and collaboration drive exceptional outcomes. Our NICU nurses provide 24/7 specialized intensive care and are leaders in their field, holding advanced certifications, including many certified lactation specialists and contributing to nationally recognized best practices in neonatal care. You'll work in a unit thoughtfully designed with staff and family experience in mind, featuring private rooms, advanced technology, and a calm, supportive care environment that enables you to deliver both high-acuity care and meaningful family-centered support. At Children's National, we recognize that care extends beyond the bedside. You'll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to engage families in the care journey through participation in rounds, education, and specialized support programs, including developmental services, behavioral health resources, and comprehensive family support. Join a team where your expertise makes a profound impact, advancing care for the most vulnerable patients while supporting the families who rely on us every day.

About The Role

As a Registered Nurse in our Level IV NICU, you'll practice at the highest level of neonatal care, supporting the most critically ill and medically complex newborns. Our NICU is staffed by a full spectrum of pediatric subspecialists, highly trained neonatal nurses, and advanced technology, all dedicated exclusively to infants and children. Located on our main campus, our care model allows seamless, 24/7 collaboration with nationally recognized experts across pediatric medical and surgical subspecialties, including neurology and beyond. This integrated team approach ensures immediate access to trusted colleagues and specialized expertise, empowering nurses to deliver exceptional, evidence-based care while making a meaningful impact on our tiniest patients and their families. All nursing practice is based on the legal scope of practice, national and specialty nursing standards, Children's National Policies and Procedures, and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The Professional Model of Care requires registered professional nurses to be responsible and accountable for their own practice. Children's National supports the development of RN relationships within the community; specifically those relationships associated with the health and well being of the community at large.

What You'll Bring

Minimum Education

BSN Graduated from an approved school of nursing. (Preferred)

Minimum Work Experience

1 year RN experience (Required) The licensed Registered Nurse will successfully complete the hospital and nursing orientation at Children's National. Keep knowledge base current with new information or changes in specialty area.

Required Skills/Knowledge

Registered Nurse in District of Columbia Registered Nurse licensed in the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia dependent upon location of practice. (Required)Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Functional Accountabilities

Transformational Leadership

• Contribute to Magnet re-designation as evidenced by independent updating of professional profile and initiation of council involvement, committees, task forces and /or community outreach.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills by problem solving appropriately during patient care.
• Communicate to reflect development of plan of care and ability to advocate to meet patients' needs.
• Independently initiate escalation of issues utilizing chain of command.
• Demonstrate proper use of the currently identified hand off processes.
• Demonstrate a collegial and respectful relationship with ancillary staff.
• Participate in implementing change and support management decisions.
• Role model behavior that reflects empathy, concern and a desire to help others.

Structural Empowerment

• Independently maintain regulatory requirements e.g. license, BLS.
• Plan for attendance at mandatory education and professional activities to enhance nursing practice.
• Demonstrate professional review of peers through timely participation in evaluations.
• Seek out opportunities to participate in enhancing departmental goals by ensuring adherence to national safety standards and service excellence standards; support advancement of education and certification as well.
• Collaborate with members of the healthcare team and role model professional behavior and teamwork with coworkers.
• Utilize resources as needed and know when to escalate to next level.

Exemplary Professional Practice

• Utilize assessment data gathered from patient and family to ensure completion of data base and plan of care within identified timeframes.
• Demonstrate clinical skills with complex patients that reflect analysis of patient status and appropriate interventions.
• Role model skill in prioritization and organization for complex patient with rapidly changing needs.
• Documentation exemplifies adherence to the highest standards of practice.
• Anticipate and proactively plan for educational needs verified with patient and family throughout the hospital/outpatient stay and prior to discharge.
• Role model organizational skills, adjust for changes and is able to complete assignment on time.
• Demonstrate caring in all encounters with patient and family as evidenced by feedback from parents and an increase in patient satisfaction scores.

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance
• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation
• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation
• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication
• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers
• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance

Organizational Accountabilities

New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements

• Identify ways to improve operations through quality improvement and assist in implementation of solutions.
• Identify self learning needs and take initiative to meet those needs.
• Ensure care is based on evidence with the literature and benchmarking

Organizational Commitment/Identification

• Partner in the mission and upholds the core principles of the organization
• Committed to diversity and recognizes value of cultural ethnic differences
• Demonstrate personal and professional integrity
• Maintain confidentiality at all times

Customer Service

• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior
• Partner with all team members to achieve goals
• Receptive to others' ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment
• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change
• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes
• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently
• Search for less costly ways of doing things

Benefits That Support You

• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, prescription, infertility, and transgender health services.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation accrual from day one, sick leave, holidays, and a personal day.
• Financial wellness support, including a 401(k) plan and healthcare and dependent care spending accounts.
• Employer-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage, with optional supplemental plans.
• Additional perks, including tuition assistance, fitness resources, employee assistance, commuter benefits, and more.

Why Join Us

• Nationally Recognized Excellence – Consistently ranked among the Top 10 Children's Hospitals in