Your skills are vital to the smallest, cutiest patients nationwide. Nomad Health bridges the gap between talented NICU nurses and the top-tier facilities that need them most. Register today to begin your next adventure, or browse our extensive list of Neonatal ICU RN opportunities below.
We are dedicated to caring for those who care for others. That is why every Nomad NICU contract includes a robust benefits suite—featuring full medical, dental, and vision coverage, malpractice insurance, and immediate 401(k) enrollment. We also handle the logistics: offering generous housing and meal stipends, up to $750 for travel costs, and reimbursements for licensure, scrubs, and certifications. Starting is simple: build your Nomad profile and apply with a single click.
A career as a traveling NICU nurse allows you to blend high-level professional development with exceptional financial rewards, all while securing your future in a critical nursing specialty. It grants you the autonomy to work in diverse clinical environments, collaborating with elite neonatal teams to deliver life-saving care to infants across the nation.
Elevated Earning Potential – Travel NICU positions often command significantly higher compensation than permanent staff roles. Your specialized expertise translates directly into higher income, with pay packages frequently exceeding $2,700 per week, depending on the location and urgency of the assignment*.
Clinical Mastery & Growth – Travel assignments accelerate your exposure to advanced neonatal technologies and methodologies. You will refine your skills in everything from high-frequency ventilation and nitric oxide therapy to therapeutic hypothermia, working across Level II, III, and IV NICUs. This variety deepens your clinical intuition and adaptability in caring for premature and medically complex newborns.
Lifestyle & Location Flexibility – The greatest advantage is the power of choice. whether you prefer a prestigious teaching hospital in a major metropolis or a community hospital in a scenic rural area, you decide where your skills are deployed. You control your schedule, contract duration, and time off, allowing for a work-life balance that suits your personal goals.
*Average pay of Nomad Health NICU travel nurse job postings on February 11, 2026.
The path to becoming a traveling NICU nurse generally starts with obtaining a nursing degree (BSN or ADN) and passing the NCLEX-RN to secure licensure as a Registered Nurse. After licensure, it is essential to build a solid foundation of clinical practice in a neonatal setting. Facilities typically look for nurses who have mastered the intricacies of neonatal assessment, fluid management, and family-centered care.
Most travel agencies and hospitals require at least one to two years of recent bedside experience in a NICU. To stand out and qualify for higher-acuity assignments, many nurses earn specialized certifications such as the RNC-NIC (certification for high-risk neonatal nursing) and maintain current NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) status. Once you have honed your skills and secured your credentials, you are ready to partner with Nomad to find assignments that elevate your career.