(RN) Nurse Manager - Neonatal ICU - 137204

UC San Diego Health is a Magnet designated organization, which is a prestigious recognition that applies to only 10% of all U.S. hospitals. Magnet is the "gold standard" for nursing excellence and is based on strengths in five key areas, which include transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, new knowledge, innovation and improvements and empirical outcomes. UC San Diego Health has held its Magnet status since 2011.

The NICU Nurse Manager provides operational and quality leadership for neonatal services across Hillcrest and Jacobs Medical Centers in a shared leadership model. This role requires advanced neonatal clinical expertise - including resuscitation, lactation integration, and neonatal surgical readiness - combined with strong system-level leadership skills. The manager drives patient flow from admission through discharge, coordinating across obstetrics, newborn care, the ED, anesthesia, and multiple specialty service lines to ensure safety, continuity, and uncompromising standards in neonatal care.

The Nurse Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for their assigned service area, ensuring delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. This role is accountable for administrative planning and execution - including staffing, fiscal oversight, resource allocation, and operational performance - to achieve departmental and organizational goals.

The Nurse Manager cultivates a culture of collaboration, professional growth, and shared governance, promoting open communication and innovation to advance nursing practice and optimize outcomes. This role owns the quality, safety, patient experience, and cost-effectiveness of care across their service area.

In partnership with nursing leadership, physicians, and interprofessional teams, the Nurse Manager designs, implements, and evaluates programs, policies, and performance improvement initiatives that advance UC San Diego Health's mission, improve patient outcomes, and promote clinical excellence. They serve as a clinical and operational resource to staff, physicians, and students, ensuring evidence-based standards and regulatory compliance are consistently met.

The Nurse Manager maintains 24/7 accountability for operations, including staffing, fiscal oversight, performance management, and continuous improvement of patient care processes and workflows. They ensure operational readiness, resolve challenges proactively, and drive efficiency while maintaining high-quality, safe, and patient-centered care.

• Bachelor's degree in nursing.
• Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the state of California.
• BART or BLS at time of hire, with commitment to obtain BART within six (6) months of hire date.
• Advanced provider NRP certification
• 8+ years relevant RN experience in a large acute care hospital.
• 3+ years supervisory/management experience.
• Neonatal ICU experience (preferably high-risk).
• Strong hospital management skills, including quality, fiscal, and operational oversight.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills across disciplines.
• Knowledge of regulatory, accreditation, licensing, and compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with healthcare IT, workflows, and patient care processes.
• Ability to function in a fast-paced environment with empathy and professionalism.

• Master's degree in nursing or relevant area.
• Specialty certification: RN-NIC, NE-BC, and/or CNML.
• Previous experience at UC San Diego Health.

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.