(RN) Registered Nurse - NICU

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment : Apply by 06/16/2026 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.

Current UC San Diego Health RN/NP applicants will be considered after the first 7 days of job posting. All additional applicants will be considered after 14 days of job posting, pending the status of the initial internal RN/NP applicant pool.

DESCRIPTION

UC San Diego Health is a Magnet designated organization, which is a prestigious recognition that applies to only 10% of all U.S. hospitals. Magnet is the "gold standard" for nursing excellence and is based on strengths in five key areas, which include transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, new knowledge, innovation and improvements and empirical outcomes. UC San Diego Health has held its Magnet status since 2011.

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 Medical Center. 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.

Autonomous nursing care is the ability of a nurse to assess and provide nursing actions as appropriate for patient care populations based on competence, professional expertise, and knowledge. The nurse is expected to practice autonomously consistent with ANA Standards of Practice and Professional Performance. Independent judgment is expected to be exercised within the context of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care.

This position is required to work at both Jacobs Medical Center and Hillcrest Medical Center.

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.

• RN License issued by the State of California.

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

• Current NRP certification.

• Minimum two (2) years of recent Level III NICU RN experience. (If insufficient applicant pool, department may consider RNs with NICU Level III experience less than 2 years.)

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to manage multiple levels of information and responsibilities, and to quickly assess moderately-complex problems to develop potential solutions.

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

• Demonstrates critical thinking and clinical skills to identify and implement nursing interventions andevaluate results.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BSN.
• Current NRP Advanced certification.
• Previous delivery room experience.
• RNC certification.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work various hours, days, shifts, on-call and various locations based on the 24-hour Medical Center's business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.
• Floats throughout W&IS division (primarily postpartum) as needed.
• Selected candidate may be hired at the CNIII level pending review and approval by the Nurse Executive Council.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $138,330 - $193,892 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $66.25 - $92.86

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).