Travel Registered Nurse ICU Job

Bakersfield, California

Staffing partner

You'll give direct nursing care in a hospital setting and have supervisory responsibilities for licensed and support staff on the unit. This role comes through Healthforce, a staffing partner, so ask which facility you would land in.

Posted Jun 19

Shift and hours: Nights · 12-⁠hour shifts (3x12)3 shifts · 36 hours a week
Unit and setting: Hospital ICU · Hospital Setting: Hospital ICU unit
License: RN license Active RN license in CaliforniaActive California RN license
Term: 13 weeks · starts May 26, 2026 · Travel

Do you qualify?

License: Active California RN license Active RN license in California Check your license
Also asks: Able to work 12-hour night shifts on a travel assignment Ability to work 12-hour night shifts and participate in a travel assignment
Also asks: Strong clinical assessment, documentation and teamwork skills Strong clinical assessment, documentation, and teamwork skills
Also asks: Able to quickly adjust to a new unit and hospital Ability to quickly acclimate to a new unit and hospital environment

Preferred

Experience: ICU or critical care experience ICU/critical care experience preferred

What it pays

Against similar roles: Below most California travel postingsCalifornia travel postings that state pay run $1,730/week to $3,100/week, the middle half $2,040/week to $2,800/week, across 319 postings.

Benefits

BenefitsDedicated recruiter and assignment support for the whole contractDedicated recruitment and assignment support throughout the contract
Benefits24/7 travel support for questions or issues24/7 travel support for questions or issue resolution
BenefitsOnboarding and credentialing helpOnboarding and credentialing assistance as applicable
BenefitsOngoing communication from Healthforce throughout the assignmentClear, timely communication with Healthforce Healthcare LLC throughout the assignment
Dedicated recruitment and assignment support
24/7 travel support
Onboarding and credentialing assistance

The role and schedule

Day to day: Giving medications and therapies administer medications and therapies; monitor responses
Day to day: Supervising nursing staff Supervise and direct activities of nursing staff
Start: Start 05/26/2026 Start date 05/26/2026 for 13 weeks
Details: 13-week contract Contract duration: 13 weeks

The workplace

Healthforce

Staffing partner

Staffing partner: Healthforce

Organization profile

Ask Mira

Your fit

Questions to ask

Can you walk me through base pay range and differentials?
What should I expect for weekend, holiday, call, and rotation?
What orientation, preceptor time, and ongoing unit support are included?
How are patient load and floating handled day to day?

Build questions for this role

[data-job-fit-skeleton]{display:none}Answer a few questions to see your fit

On your path

ICU / Critical Care is a specialty you move into. The classic route: base year, then transfer in.

See your route →Check first: Experience ICU, OR and CRNA ask for

Original listing

Read full text

Overview Registered Nurse, ICU travel assignment in Bakersfield, California. Start date 05/26/2026 for 13 weeks. Weekly pay range $1,914-$1,953 per week. Shift: Nights, 12-hour shifts (3x12). You’ll provide direct nursing care in a hospital setting, with supervisory responsibilities for licensed and support staff on the unit. This travel assignment requires adaptability to unit routines and collaboration across disciplines.

Key Highlights

Weekly pay: $1,914-$1,953 per week
Contract duration: 13 weeks
Shift: Nights, 12-hour shifts (3x12)
Start date: 05/26/2026
Location: Bakersfield, CA, United States
Setting: Hospital ICU unit

Responsibilities

Deliver coordinated ICU nursing care per standards and the nursing process.
Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care; administer medications and therapies; monitor responses.
Supervise and direct activities of nursing staff; coordinate with interdisciplinary team.
Communicate care plans and changes with physicians and other clinicians; ensure continuity of care.
Document accurately; maintain compliance with policies, standards, and regulations.

Requirements

Active RN license in California
ICU/critical care experience preferred
Ability to work 12-hour night shifts and participate in a travel assignment
Strong clinical assessment, documentation, and teamwork skills
Ability to quickly acclimate to a new unit and hospital environment

Benefits and Support

Dedicated recruitment and assignment support throughout the contract
24/7 travel support for questions or issue resolution
Onboarding and credentialing assistance as applicable
Clear, timely communication with Healthforce Healthcare LLC throughout the assignment

Find more opportunities Explore other openings available at https://healthforce.applytojob.com/apply

Please note: Pay rates and guaranteed hours are estimates and may vary. Final compensation packages and confirmed hours will be discussed during the hiring process.

About Healthforce

Healthforce is a nationwide travel healthcare staffing agency connecting travel nurses and allied health professionals with high-quality contract assignments across the United States.

We specialize in placing clinicians in travel nursing jobs, allied health travel assignments, and local contract opportunities in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient settings. Whether you are an experienced traveler or taking your first assignment, Healthforce provides the support and opportunities you need to succeed.

Travel Nursing and Allied Health Opportunities Nationwide

Healthforce partners with healthcare facilities across the country to offer a wide range of opportunities for nurses and allied professionals.

Travel RN jobs in Med Surg, ICU, ER, LTC, and more
Allied health travel jobs including CT Tech, Rad Tech, PT, OT, Respiratory, and more
Local contract and per diem opportunities
Short-term and 13-week travel assignments

Our goal is simple: match you with the right assignment, in the right location, at the right pay.

What Makes Healthforce Different

We know that travel healthcare professionals have options. That is why we focus on delivering a better experience at every step of the process.

Competitive weekly pay packages with transparent breakdowns
Fast credentialing support to help you get submitted quickly
Dedicated recruiters who stay with you from submission to start
24/7 support while you are on assignment
Nationwide job access across multiple specialties and care settings

We do not just place you in a job. We help you build a sustainable travel healthcare career.

Built for Travel Nurses and Allied Professionals

Healthforce is designed around the needs of today’s travel healthcare workforce. We make it easier for clinicians to move quickly, stay informed, and access strong opportunities across the country.

Quick submissions to open jobs
Access to multiple job options at once
Flexible assignment locations
Ongoing support throughout your contract

Whether you are searching for your next assignment or planning your first travel job, our team is here to help you move forward with confidence.

Start Your Next Travel Assignment

Healthforce is actively hiring travel nurses and allied healthcare professionals for assignments nationwide.

Apply today to connect with a recruiter and explore current travel nursing and allied health job opportunities. 4ulpvhXW2v

What's around it?

In Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield, CAFrom Census ACS 2024.

Living costs about the same as the US average

Median rent: $1,472/mo
Household income: $80,540/yr, all local households, not nurse pay

Life in Bakersfield, CA

NeighborhoodsYoung professionals and many relocating workers land in Southwest Bakersfield (modern developments, homes averaging about $350,000, rentals from $1,500) and Northwest Bakersfield (suburban, homes around $400,000, rentals $1,800–$2,200). Locals most often point newcomers to Southwest or Rosedale as clean, nice, and quiet. Seven Oaks is the premium master-planned golf community around Seven Oaks Country Club (homes around $650,000, rentals from about $2,500). Downtown is the walkable rental pocket; Laurelglen, CSU Bakersfield, Rio Bravo, Olde Stockdale, The Oaks, Haggin Oaks, Riviera–Westchester, and Brimhall span ranch houses, river-adjacent new builds, and established tree-lined streets.

Young professionals and many relocating workers land in Southwest Bakersfield (modern developments, homes averaging about $350,000, rentals from $1,500) and Northwest Bakersfield (suburban, homes around $400,000, rentals $1,800–$2,200). Locals most often point newcomers to Southwest or Rosedale as clean, nice, and quiet.

Seven Oaks is the premium master-planned golf community around Seven Oaks Country Club (homes around $650,000, rentals from about $2,500). Downtown is the walkable rental pocket; Laurelglen, CSU Bakersfield, Rio Bravo, Olde Stockdale, The Oaks, Haggin Oaks, Riviera–Westchester, and Brimhall span ranch houses, river-adjacent new builds, and established tree-lined streets.

Sources

As of Sep 11, 2026Source 1: roadwaymoving.com Source 2: reddit.com Source 3: trulia.com Source 4: thebeltergroup.com Source 5: meatheadmovers.com

Getting aroundBakersfield is spread out and built around driving; a car is needed almost everywhere except a small downtown pocket along Chester Avenue. Most trips across town take 10 to 20 minutes outside rush hour, and residents repeatedly cite little traffic as a plus. Golden Empire Transit (GET) buses converge downtown and Amtrak San Joaquins stop at the downtown station, but citywide transit is limited, so hospital shifts would typically mean driving. Downtown street parking is metered and tight at midday; elsewhere parking, not commute length, is what varies block to block.

Bakersfield is spread out and built around driving; a car is needed almost everywhere except a small downtown pocket along Chester Avenue. Most trips across town take 10 to 20 minutes outside rush hour, and residents repeatedly cite little traffic as a plus.

Golden Empire Transit (GET) buses converge downtown and Amtrak San Joaquins stop at the downtown station, but citywide transit is limited, so hospital shifts would typically mean driving. Downtown street parking is metered and tight at midday; elsewhere parking, not commute length, is what varies block to block.

Sources

As of Sep 11, 2026Source 1: trulia.com Source 2: fitmoversllc.com Source 3: reddit.com

OutdoorsThe Kern River Parkway Trail runs about 30 miles along the Kern River for walking, biking, and birdwatching, with river paths also near Riviera–Westchester. Lake Ming is used for boating and fishing, and the Kern River itself offers whitewater rafting. California Living Museum (CALM) is a zoo and native-plant garden; Murray Family Farms just outside town has U-pick fruit, pies, animals, and seasonal festivals. Downtown adds Central Park at Mill Creek; locals also name Heart Park and Sharktooth Hill, while Seven Oaks Country Club supplies a 27-hole course, tennis, and pools.

The Kern River Parkway Trail runs about 30 miles along the Kern River for walking, biking, and birdwatching, with river paths also near Riviera–Westchester. Lake Ming is used for boating and fishing, and the Kern River itself offers whitewater rafting.

California Living Museum (CALM) is a zoo and native-plant garden; Murray Family Farms just outside town has U-pick fruit, pies, animals, and seasonal festivals. Downtown adds Central Park at Mill Creek; locals also name Heart Park and Sharktooth Hill, while Seven Oaks Country Club supplies a 27-hole course, tennis, and pools.

Sources

As of Sep 11, 2026Source 1: theadventuristmagazine.com Source 2: lemon8-app.com Source 3: unitedvanlines.com Source 4: trulia.com Source 5: reddit.com Source 6: thebeltergroup.com

Others hiring in Bakersfield, CA

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Living in Bakersfield

Bakersfield sits at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, a spread-out city of nearly 414,000 built on oil, almonds, citrus, and the Bakersfield Sound. For a nurse, the draw is California living without coastal prices: July 2026 rents around $1,300 for a one-bedroom, Southwest homes near $350,000, and commutes that locals call no-traffic—most drives 10–20 minutes if you have a car, which you will need. Southwest, Rosedale, and Northwest are where people tell newcomers to live; Seven Oaks is the golf-course premium. Distinctly local: Basque family-style dinners at Pyrenees or Noriega's, Buck Owens' Crystal Palace, and 30 miles of Kern River Parkway Trail. Tradeoffs are real. Summers often exceed 100°F with little rain; valley air quality from farm dust and smog can be hard on lungs. Crime is neighborhood-specific—Seven Oaks and Olde Stockdale run well below the city average, while some central areas do not. Nightlife and transit are limited compared with Los Angeles, about two hours south. Healthcare is a growing local employer. Expect a patriotic, sports-heavy, small-town-in-a-city culture, not a walkable urban scene except on downtown Chester Avenue.

AI area guide

Sources

As of 2026Source 1: unitedvanlines.com Source 2: trulia.com Source 3: roadwaymoving.com Source 4: reddit.com Source 5: fitmoversllc.com Source 6: meatheadmovers.com Source 7: lemon8-app.com Source 8: theadventuristmagazine.com

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Do you qualify?

Preferred

What it pays

Benefits

The role and schedule

The workplace

Ask Mira

Your fit

Questions to ask

On your path

Original listing

About Healthforce

What's around it?

Bakersfield, CAiFrom Census ACS 2024.

Life in Bakersfield, CA

Moving for this role?

Nurses on this role

Nurses on this role

Life in Bakersfield, CA

Moving for this role?

Nurses on this role

Bakersfield, CAFrom Census ACS 2024.