How much do travel ICU nurses make per week?

Travel ICU nurses earn $2,200–$3,500 per week in 2026. CVICU (Cardiovascular ICU) and Level I trauma ICUs pay the most at $2,800–$3,500/week. MICU and SICU average $2,400–$3,200/week. Crisis and rapid-response ICU positions pay $4,500–$7,500/week. CCRN certification adds $150–$250/week across all ICU settings. All packages include taxable hourly pay plus tax-free housing and meal stipends.

What certifications do travel ICU nurses need?

Required: BLS, ACLS, active RN license, 1–2 years ICU experience. CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse — AACN) is the most valued certification — adds $150–$250/week and is required by many Level I and II facilities. For specific units: CCRN-K (knowledge-based), SCRN (stroke care), CMC (Cardiac Medicine Certification). ECMO experience commands a $200–$400/week premium in specialized cardiac ICUs.

What types of ICU travel nursing jobs are available?

Travel ICU positions include: MICU (Medical ICU) — general critical care, most common opening; SICU (Surgical ICU) — post-surgical patients; CVICU (Cardiovascular ICU) — cardiac surgery and heart failure; Neuro ICU — stroke, TBI, and neurosurgery; NICU (Neonatal ICU) — premature and critically ill newborns (separate subspecialty); PICU (Pediatric ICU) — critically ill children. CVICU and Neuro ICU typically pay $200–$500/week more than MICU due to specialist skill requirements.

Travel Nursing JobsICU / Critical Care

Highest Crisis Pay — Any Bedside Specialty

Travel ICU Nurse Jobs 2026

$2,200–$3,500/week — crisis positions to $7,500/week. MICU, SICU, CVICU, Neuro ICU. 28 active openings. CCRN certification adds $150–$250/week. Highest crisis pay ceiling of any bedside RN specialty.

💙 28 Open Positions⚡ Crisis: $4,500–$7,500/wk🏥 MICU · SICU · CVICU · Neuro🎓 CCRN +$150–$250/wk

ICU Types — Pay & Requirements

ICU Type	Weekly Pay	Ratio	Key Skills	Certs Required
CVICU (Cardiac Surgery)	$2,800–$3,500/wk	1:1–1:2	IABP, ECMO, Swan-Ganz, cardiac drips	ACLS, CCRN; CMC preferred
Neuro ICU	$2,600–$3,400/wk	1:2	ICP monitoring, EVD management, stroke protocols, seizure management	ACLS, CCRN; SCRN preferred
SICU (Surgical ICU)	$2,500–$3,200/wk	1:2	Post-op management, chest tubes, art lines, multi-drip titration	ACLS, CCRN
MICU (Medical ICU)	$2,400–$3,200/wk	1:2	Ventilator management, sepsis protocols, vasopressors, CRRT	ACLS, CCRN preferred
NICU (Neonatal ICU)	$2,400–$3,200/wk	1:1–1:2	Neonatal ventilation, umbilical lines, TPN, developmental care	NRP required, CCRN-Neonatal
PICU (Pediatric ICU)	$2,400–$3,200/wk	1:2	Pediatric vents, PALS protocols, family-centered care	PALS required, CCRN-Peds
Burn ICU	$2,800–$3,500/wk	1:1–1:2	Wound care, fluid resuscitation, escharotomy support, infection control	ACLS, burn center orientation
Crisis / Rapid Response	$4,500–$7,500/wk	Variable	2+ yrs ICU exp, short-notice start, any ICU type	ACLS, CCRN strongly preferred

ICU Nurse Certifications — Pay Impact

CCRN — Critical Care Registered Nurse (AACN)

+$150–$250/wk

Required at many Level I ICUs; most common ICU cert

CMC — Cardiac Medicine Certification (AACN)

+$100–$200/wk

CVICU and cardiac step-down specialty

CSC — Cardiac Surgery Certification (AACN)

+$150–$250/wk

Post-cardiac surgery ICU, CABG patients

SCRN — Stroke Certified RN (ABNN)

+$100–$200/wk

Neuro ICU and comprehensive stroke center

ECMO Specialist (AmSECT / ELSO)

+$200–$400/wk

Cardiac and respiratory ECMO centers — rare skill, high pay

CRRT Trained (Unit certification)

+$100–$150/wk

$2,362/wk

Mercy Health Hospital and Trauma Center - Riverside · Rockford, Illinois

ICU

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do travel ICU nurses make?

Travel ICU nurses earn $2,200–$3,500/week in 2026. CVICU and Burn ICU pay the most ($2,800–$3,500/wk). MICU and SICU average $2,400–$3,200/wk. Crisis positions pay $4,500–$7,500/wk. CCRN adds $150–$250/week and ECMO experience adds $200–$400/week.

Do travel ICU nurses need CCRN?

CCRN is not universally required but is strongly preferred — and required at many Level I facilities. It adds $150–$250/week to your rate and makes you competitive for CVICU and Neuro ICU positions. The AACN CCRN exam requires 1,750 hours of direct care of acutely/critically ill patients within the past 2 years.

What is the highest-paying ICU type for travel nurses?

CVICU (Cardiovascular ICU) and Burn ICU pay the most at $2,800–$3,500/week in standard assignments and $4,500–$7,500/week in crisis. Neuro ICU is second. ECMO-trained ICU nurses command $200–$400/week premiums in specialized cardiac centers. MICU and SICU have the most open positions but pay slightly less.

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Tell us your ICU type (MICU/SICU/CVICU/Neuro), CCRN status, and target states — we'll match you to the highest-paying open position.

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