Risevoic
RN NICU
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Santa Cruz, CA, 95065
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : 75.68-96.75 HOUR
Date Posted : 8 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
Position Summary: (Unit Specific)
#RN@DH
Job Requirements
- Current and active CA RN license.
- Current BLS certification from American Heart Association
- Unit specific certifications and qualifications.
- At least 3 months experience in acute hospital nursing.
- Certification in Rehabilitation Nursing (CRRN), preferred.
Dominican Hospital (a member of Dignity Health) is a 222-bed facility that offers a wide range of services to residents of California’s Central Coast. With 24/7 emergency care, comprehensive care in cardiac, orthopedics, oncology, women’s and children’s services, we continue to lead the region in medical innovation and excellence in healthcare.
Comprehensive Care
Dominican offers emergency services and is a Certified Stroke Center and Chest Pain Center. Dominican’s services include the only comprehensive Cancer Center in Santa Cruz County, a Total Joint Replacement program, and advanced neurological and endoscopic services. Dominican regularly receives ‘A’ grades for hospital safety from Leapfrog Group, and has received national recognition for superior patient safety, cardiac care, and stroke treatment from Healthgrades, a leading provider of comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals.
As Santa Cruz County’s heart attack (STEMI) receiving center, Dominican Hospital provides cutting edge cardiac care. The hospital’s heart attack treatment times consistently beat the national average, and the hospital offers two cardiac catheterization labs available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Groundbreaking cardiac procedures at Dominican include the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure, which allows for heart valve replacement without opening a patient’s chest.
Dominican Hospital has forged significant partnerships with area hospitals to bring exceptional care to Santa Cruz County. The hospital offers a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) through a partnership with Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. Neurosurgery at Dominican is also offered through a partnership with Stanford Health Care.
One Community. One Mission. One California
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Frequently asked questions
Working as an RN NICU in Santa Cruz involves managing critical newborn care with high attention to detail. Given the level III NICU partnership at Dominican Hospital, nurses often juggle complex cases requiring quick critical thinking and teamwork, reflecting the area's advanced neonatal healthcare standards.
Besides the mandatory CA RN license and BLS certification, Santa Cruz hospitals highly value specialized NICU certifications like CCRN or neonatal resuscitation. These credentials align with the region’s emphasis on cutting-edge neonatal care, especially within facilities partnered with Stanford and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.
RN NICU roles require expertise in neonatal physiology and advanced life support techniques, differing from general nursing. Skills in monitoring premature infants, operating specialized equipment, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams are essential to manage fragile neonatal patients effectively.
NICU nurses often transition into neonatal nurse practitioner roles, clinical educators, or NICU management positions. Gaining certifications like CCRN, pursuing advanced degrees, or engaging in research within neonatal care can accelerate professional development in specialized pediatric nursing.
Catholic Health Initiatives fosters growth by providing access to unit-specific training, partnerships with leading pediatric centers, and ongoing education. Their network encourages NICU nurses to pursue certifications and advanced skills, ensuring alignment with both clinical excellence and compassionate care.
Yes, nurses at Catholic Health Initiatives benefit from collaborations with Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, granting access to cutting-edge neonatal interventions and advanced monitoring systems, enhancing hands-on experience with state-of-the-art NICU practices.
RN NICU nurses in Santa Cruz typically earn between $45 to $55 per hour, reflecting the area's high cost of living and specialized skill demand. This pay scale is competitive compared to state averages and acknowledges the advanced care responsibilities within regional neonatal units.
Santa Cruz shows steady demand for NICU RNs driven by its specialized healthcare centers and growing population. Facilities like Dominican Hospital regularly seek qualified neonatal nurses, maintaining consistent opportunities for those with appropriate certifications and experience.
Santa Cruz’s traffic is moderate compared to larger metro areas, but NICU nurses may face variability depending on shift times. Proximity to facilities like Dominican Hospital often allows manageable commutes, supporting a balance between the demanding NICU schedule and personal time.
At Catholic Health Initiatives, RN NICU nurses engage in a collaborative network emphasizing holistic patient care, blending clinical rigor with spiritual support. The affiliation with top-tier pediatric hospitals enhances learning while fostering a mission-driven work environment unique to this health system.