PICU Nurse Jobs Overview
Pediatric ICU (PICU) nurses are part of a multidisciplinary team that provides critical care to infants and children up to 18 years old. If you’re interested in PICU nurse jobs, you’ll find numerous excellent full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, and per diem opportunities in hospitals across the country.
Pediatric intensive care units have lots of vacancies for different healthcare professionals, including:
You can also see opportunities in related positions, such as NICU nurse jobs and pediatric nurse jobs.
Education and Certifications for Pediatric ICU Nurse Jobs
If you want to explore PICU jobs as a nurse, consider becoming a registered nurse (RN). You’ll need to complete either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and pass the NCLEX-RN to earn your license. Further your education (and appeal to employers) by obtaining relevant certifications such as:
- Certified Pediatric Nursing (CPN)
- Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
- Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON)
- Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC)
- Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization (PEARS) Certification
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- S.T.A.B.L.E. Certification
Our sample PICU nurse job description template can show you what else an employer may require for this role. You can also expand your scope of practice by becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner.
Nursing Resume and Cover Letter for Pediatric ICU Jobs
To get ahead of other applicants, tailor your critical care nurse resume to each specific job ad. For instance, if a hospital is looking to hire an RN who can “provide medications, intravenous fluids, and artificial nutrition to children and adolescents,” make sure to feature those skills in your resume.
In your cover letter, explain why you’re passionate about providing high-quality child-centered clinical care, and how your skills and training aligns with the employer’s mission statement.
Interviewing for a PICU Nursing Jobs
Strong communication skills are a must-have for any nurse wanting to work with young patients, and even more so in pediatric intensive care settings. Want to feel a bit more prepared? Go over common PICU nurse interview questions and practice thoughtful replies.
PICU Nurse Salary
The annual average salary for a PICU nurse is around $86,000. Your pay will be determined by your level of nursing, years of experience, location, facility type, and employer. To find out what PICU nurse jobs’ salary expectations are in your area, click on some of the job ads to learn more.
Ready to Find PICU Nurse Jobs Near You?
Check out all the PICU nurse positions available right now. Want additional options? We can match you with even more nursing jobs that interest you.