Location: Bakersfield, CA

Start Date: 12-15-2025

End Date: 03-16-2026

Contract Type: Travel Contract

Shift Type: Rotating 12-hour night shifts, 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM, nights with every-other-weekend requirement and holiday rotation (2 of 3); travelers may be asked to be on standby if census is low

Hours per Week: 36

Candidate Pay Rate: $84 per hour

About United Health Care Staffing

At United Health Care Staffing (UHC Staffing), we believe healthcare staffing should be more than just finding a job. We are here to connect amazing professionals with opportunities that make their careers exciting, rewarding, and meaningful. With us, you're not just signing up for a contract you are joining a team that's got your back, answers your calls, and maybe even cracks a joke or two to brighten your day. Think of us as the travel buddy who handles the logistics while you focus on what you do best helping people heal.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, compassionate PICU nursing care for critically ill pediatric patients
• Manage ventilators and advanced respiratory therapies including CPAP, BiPAP, HFNC
• Monitor telemetry using Spacelab and confidently read and interpret cardiac strips
• Administer and titrate drips (insulin, sedatives, heparin, vasopressors when needed) safely and accurately
• Collaborate with in-house pediatric intensivists, respiratory therapists, and pharmacy for 24/7 multidisciplinary care
• Perform focused assessments, document thoroughly in Cerner, and communicate changes in patient condition promptly
• Serve as a dependable team member who may float to general pediatrics and the burn unit for non-burn pediatric care

Qualifications

• Active RN license (able to work in California)
• Minimum 2 years of PICU experience required (3 years overall experience listed)
• Current BLS and PALS certifications required
• Experience with Cerner electronic charting required
• Proven competence with ventilator management and Medfusion pump use
• Comfortable reading cardiac strips and managing telemetry (Spacelab)
• No first-time travelers — prior travel nurse experience required

Education

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Nursing Diploma accepted
• BSN preferred but not required
• Required: RN licensure in California

Knowledge & Skills

• Pediatric critical care principles and PICU workflows
• Ventilator setup, management and troubleshooting
• Use of Medfusion infusion pumps and titratable drip protocols
• Telemetry monitoring and cardiac rhythm interpretation
• Familiarity with common PICU diagnoses (respiratory failure, DKA, seizures, poisoning/ODs)
• Strong clinical judgment, triage, and escalation skills
• Effective interdisciplinary communication with physicians, RTs, and pharmacy

Benefits

• Generous housing stipend to make your travel stay comfy and convenient
• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision coverage to keep you healthy
• 401(k) retirement savings options so you can plan ahead
• Life insurance and basic protection for peace of mind
• Paid time off to recharge between assignments
• Travel reimbursement to offset your relocation costs
• Licensure assistance & reimbursement to help with state paperwork
• Referral bonus program — bring a friend and earn rewards
• A supportive ICU team that values your expertise and growth

Travel Perks: Explore Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield is a cozy Central Valley hub with unexpected charms. Explore the Kern County Museum and learn local history, catch live country music at Buck Owens' Crystal Palace, or visit the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History. Outdoorsy types can enjoy the Kern River for fishing and river walks, picnic at Hart Park, or take day trips to Sequoia National Forest for hiking. Weekend escapes to the Central Coast (Pismo Beach) or Paso Robles wine country are very doable, and the local food scene features classic Basque dining and fresh farm markets.

Hashtags

#RNJobs #PICUJobs #BakersfieldCAJobs #TravelNurse #PediatricNursing #CriticalCareNursing #UHCCareers #HealthcareJobs #NurseLife #MedicalSolutions