Registered Nurse Residency- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)- Blank Children's Hospital

Overview

Full-Time Nights 7pm-7:30pm, every fourth weekend and holiday rotation 

Now Offering a Limited-Time $20,000 RN Sign-On Bonus!UnityPoint Health – Des Moines is offering a $20,000 sign-on bonus for full-time eligible RNs (Including Residents) hired or offered into acute inpatient roles between April 1 and October 31, 2026, paid in milestone-based installments.

Relocation Assistance: Up to $10,000 for full-time offers when relocating more than 50 miles.

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Blank Children’s Hospital delivers comprehensive, round-the-clock critical care for infants, children, and adolescents facing traumatic injuries, life-threatening illnesses, or recovering from major surgery.

Unit Overview

• 12 single-patient, private rooms—each equipped with in-room private bathroom and shower, ample storage, a pull-out bed or reclining chair, individual entertainment systems, and privacy curtains.
• Ceiling-mounted medical equipment booms allow quick, efficient access to critical tools during emergencies. 
• Dedicated spaces include a Family Consultation Room for meetings between families and care teams, and a Family Lounge with kitchenette and comfortable seating. 

‍⚕️ Medical Team & Expertise

• Staffed by board-certified pediatric intensive care physicians and pediatric residents, available 24/7.
• Supported by a highly specialized team: intensive care nurses, respiratory therapists, pediatric pharmacists, physical therapists, child life specialists, and care management professionals.
• The unit is co-located on the second floor of the north wing of the Iowa Methodist Medical Center/Blank Children’s Hospital campus. 

‍‍ Family-Centered Approach

• Accommodations encourage family presence: pull-out beds, recliners in rooms, and private bathrooms enable caregivers to stay overnight. 
• The Family Lounge and Consultation Room offer dedicated spaces for families to gather, rest, and meet privately with the care team.

Patient Population & Services

• Treats critically ill or injured patients—including infants, children, and teens—managing a wide range of complex conditions.
• Capable of supporting cases involving major surgery recovery, trauma response, respiratory failure, severe infections, and multi-organ complications.
• Utilizes state-of-the-art monitoring and life-support systems for rapid interventions and high-level care.

Commitment to Excellence

• Part of Blank Children’s Hospital, which emphasizes family-centered healing, child-friendly design, and child-appropriate medical equipment.
• Aligned with the hospital's philosophy: involving families actively in care to reduce anxiety, improve recovery rates, and enhance overall outcomes.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:      

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.   

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

Applications are accepted year round, but we encourage you to apply during your last semester of nursing school. Start dates are dependent on licensure, onboarding, unit availability as well as your personal preference.

All newly licensed RNs and RNs with less than 12 months of acute RN experience at the time of application are required to participate in the RN Residency program. 

How to Apply:

All candidates, including current staff, should apply by completing an online application for the Nurse Residency Position.

Reminder: Items needed to complete your application are:

• Online Application to Nurse Residency Position.
• Resume 

Responsibilities: Successfully functions as a Registered Nurse as defined in Iowa Nursing Regulations and Practice Act. Provides nursing care for patients and families and maintains a practice environment that reflects the ANA Code for Nurses, Philosophy of Nursing at UnityPoint Health-Des Moines within the structure of the Professional Nurse Practice Model and in collaboration with other care givers. 

For more information about the program and specific details please go to https://www.unitypoint.org/desmoines/nurse-residency-program.aspx or if you have questions specific to your application or documents, please contact the Nurse Residency Program at 515-241-6864

Qualifications

Education:

• Graduate of accredited nursing program.

License(s)/Certification(s):

• Current licensure in good standing to practice as a Registered Nurse in Iowa.

Experience:

• Newly licensed nurse or less than 12 months acute RN experience.

Other: 

• Level 3 Medium Work:  Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Completion of residency program within the first 12 months of employment.