How Much Does A Nicu Traveling Nurse Make?

How long does it take to become a travel NICU nurse?

How Do You Become A Travel Nurse? A travel nurse is an RN (Registered Nurse) who is hired on a contract basis to fill a short-term medical staffing necessity. Typically, a traveling nurse contract is 13-weeks long. However, assignments can range anywhere from 1 month to 1 year .

What does a NICU travel nurse do?

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit travel nurses care for premature and critically ill newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a hospital . These babies are born needing immediate medical attention.

What is the highest salary for a NICU nurse?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $142,500 and as low as $60,000, the majority of NICU RN salaries currently range between $83,000 (25th percentile) to $115,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $125,000 annually across the United States.

Is travel nursing worth the money?

So, the question today remains, is travel nursing worth the money? and the short answer is yes . Throw in the adventure of travelling to new areas, meeting new people, working in new facilities and building your skills and resume, and you've got yourself one very interesting and unique job.

Why do nurses love the NICU?

It's not just because they work with the most vulnerable infant patients. That's just one of the many reasons. Add to it the sheer dedication these clinical professionals show to their career, their determination to make a difference, and the undeniable flexibility to multitask patient needs and family support .

Is being a NICU nurse hard?

If you're considering a career as a NICU nurse, congratulations — NICU nurses have one of the hardest jobs in medicine . While the decision to become a nurse is easy for many individuals, making a decision on whether to become a neonatal nurse is a much more difficult one.

How much does a traveling nurse make?

Travel nurse salary

To calculate a travel nurse's compensation, you'll need to base the salary off the average median income of a registered nurse in the U.S. In many scenarios, travel nurses can earn about $3,000 weekly . They can charge as high as $50 per hour in addition to the hospital-paid housing benefits.

How much time off do travel nurses get?

Usually, travel nurses sign a 13-week contract anywhere across the United States. Not only do you get 13 weeks to explore places within the US and outlying territories, but you also get unlimited time off in between your contracts . If you're feeling burned out, take one, two, or even 10-weeks off between contracts!

How do you become a neonatal travel nurse?

1. Two-year AS degree in nursing. Many hospitals prefer four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN).
2. Neonatal Resuscitation and/or Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing certificate.
3. Most facilities require at least a year of NICU travel nursing experience for all travelers.

What's it like being a NICU nurse?

Neonatal nurses must have a passion for working with newborns and their families, and the ability to thrive in the high-pressure, fast-paced environment of the NICU . These nurses must be alert and mentally agile for the entirety of every shift.

How do I become a traveling nurse?

1. Understand the role of a travel nurse.
2. Earn your ASN/ADN or BSN degree.
3. Pass the NCLEX and become an RN.
4. Gain experience.
5. Get licensed.
6. Find a travel nurse staffing agency and apply.
7. Start your career.

Is there a shortage of NICU nurses?

At the same time, there is a shortage of NNPs and an insufficient number of PAs, PNPs and pediatric hospitalists working in NICUs. A 2016 workforce survey found that the average age of NNPs was 49, and more than half of them regularly work more than their scheduled hours due to staffing vacancies.

What state pays neonatal nurses the most?

According to them, the highest paying state for neonatal nurses is New York , with an annual salary of $108,499, and the lowest paying state is North Carolina, with a yearly wage of $78,345.

Are NICU nurses in high demand?

For aspiring nurses who love the idea of working with infants to improve their health and get them home, NICU nursing is not only a high-demand specialization , but also a fulfilling career choice.

Who is the highest paying travel nurse agency?

Triage Staff is our best overall pick because it pays more than most agencies, providing high hourly wages and frequent bonuses. This agency attracts top talents thanks to its benefits and extensive perks, like tuition reimbursement and day one 401(k).

Why are traveling nurses paid so much?

So, why do travel nurses get paid more? It's because they fill short-term needs, accept assignments in areas with severe nursing shortages, receive extra compensation for their flexibility and work in hard-to fill specialties .

Do travel nurses pay taxes?

Because travel nurses are paid a bit differently than staff nurses, so too do travel nurses file taxes a bit differently. This is because travel nurses are paid a base hourly rate, that is taxable, and a weekly travel stipend that is not taxable – both of which equal their total pay in a given contract.

Is NICU competitive?

A: It is very competitive to get a job as a nurse in the NICU . My advice to people interested in working in the NICU is to be proactive in seeking opportunities that will assist them later when they are ready to begin their nursing career. There are several ways to accomplish this.

What qualities make a good NICU nurse?

• an empathetic understanding for the parents and other family members.
• an interest in newborn babies.
• a good understanding of the physiological and psychological needs of the new-born.
• the competence to work in a highly technical area.
• the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

What is it like working in a NICU?

Suffice it to say, it's an intense place to work . As a NICU employee, you'll be dealing not only with patients, but also with worried families who are desperate to be informed every step of the way. Though much of the work can be taxing emotionally, the NICU is also a unit full of love, support and positive outcomes.

Do neonatal nurses deliver babies?

Salient features of neonatal nursing

NICU nurses typically care for newborns in neonatal intensive care units or newborn nurseries . Depending on the circumstances, NICU nursing may also begin right in the delivery room itself or at the mother's bedside.

Is the NICU stressful?

Because of the specialized environment, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses can experience high levels of psychologic and physical stress . This stress can lead to increased levels of absenteeism, low morale, mental fatigue and exhaustion, symptoms that have been characterized as nurse burnout.

Why are neonatal nurses in high demand?

The ongoing high demand for neonatal nurse practitioners is caused by a number of factors: The expansion of neonatal intensive care units (NICU) that require additional staff . The increase in retirements of existing neonatal nurse practitioners.

What nurse makes the most money?

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists earn a mean average salary of $183,580 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, making it the top paying nursing specialty. CRNAs typically work 40 hours per week, making the hourly wage average out to approximately $88.26 per hour.

What's the difference between a nurse and a travel nurse?

Travel nurses:

Are registered nurses with a valid license and at least 2 years of nursing experience . Work short-term assignments at hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Help by filling in gaps where there are nursing shortages.

Is it hard to become a travel nurse?

This schooling may take 2-4 years depending on the length of the program . The most important element to becoming a travel nurse is experience. Most travel agencies and hospitals require nurses to have a minimum of two years of nursing experience prior to applying for travel nursing contracts.