Any Raleigh Durham area nicu RN's

[SleepingInn]

Hi, I'll be moving down to the Raleigh area in a couple of months and was hoping someone could give me some insight on the nicu's in the area.

I'm relocating from NY where I'm currently working At a busy 40 bed level 3 nicu and have 8 years experience as a nicu RN.

Do any of the nicu's take travel nurses? Im trying to figure out if that may be the best way for me start and then look for a permanent staff position. Any info you could give me would be great!!! Thanks

[essT]

Duke, UNC Chapel Hill, and Wake Med (Raleigh) are the level IVs in the area. All do surgeries, head cooling, and ECMO (though at least one, Duke, transfers neonates to PICU for ECMO). I'm not sure if they take travelers. I'm planning to move up there in the next couple years, so I "stalk" their job sites pretty regularly. Usually at least one or two of the three has a listing for experienced nurses. Hopefully someone else can given you some more insight.

[SleepingInn]

Thank you!

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

I believe that like Duke, UNC also sends kids requiring ECMO to PICU. I didn't think that WakeMed did ECMO, but I may be misinformed.

I haven't worked at any of the regional NICUs, but I have ties to the area and I know a handful of travelers and full-time staff who have. Everyone I've met who has worked in the WakeMed NICU has spoken highly of the unit; however, despite their Level IV status, they don't generally get the sickest kids in the region because they're usually shipped straight to Duke/UNC. Meanwhile nearly everyone I've met who has spent time in the Duke NICU had negative things to say about the unit culture, including some cattiness specifically directed toward travelers. I can't speak to UNC because I don't know anyone who has worked in their NICU (called the NCCC, if you're having trouble finding info on it).

Granted, this is all anecdotal evidence coming from about dozen individuals, but I was surprised by the common threads I heard from different nurses.

Best of luck! I love the Triangle (barring the current summer weather, which is about 100 degrees and 200% humidity).

[SleepingInn]

I believe that like Duke, UNC also sends kids requiring ECMO to PICU. I didn't think that WakeMed did ECMO, but I may be misinformed.

I haven't worked at any of the regional NICUs, but I have ties to the area and I know a handful of travelers and full-time staff who have. Everyone I've met who has worked in the WakeMed NICU has spoken highly of the unit; however, despite their Level IV status, they don't generally get the sickest kids in the region because they're usually shipped straight to Duke/UNC. Meanwhile nearly everyone I've met who has spent time in the Duke NICU had negative things to say about the unit culture, including some cattiness specifically directed toward travelers. I can't speak to UNC because I don't know anyone who has worked in their NICU (called the NCCC, if you're having trouble finding info on it).

Granted, this is all anecdotal evidence coming from about dozen individuals, but I was surprised by the common threads I heard from different nurses.

Best of luck! I love the Triangle (barring the current summer weather, which is about 100 degrees and 200% humidity).

Thank you!! This is all very helpful!!!

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

WakeMed has an excellent NICU, but hearts get shipped to Duke or UNC. Last I heard, Wake sends pts to PICU to start ECMO, but only as pt is being readied for transfer out.