NICU Travel Assignment: Houston, Texas

Everything Is Bigger In Texas!

The hospital in Houston, TX has the largest NICU in the country. This hospital is a Level II, III and IV hospital! I was hired into their Level III unit (even though I preferred Level IV). Level IV units have a variety of unique assignments, such as taking care of an infant who is born with an Omphalocele or an infant with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), who could eventually need a tracheostomy.

However, this was my first travel assignment (January 2022) with my traveling partner, Alondra, and we were just excited to have landed a good assignment that soon. I was thankful that the staff was friendly and helpful throughout my assignment. They did not make me feel like a traveler, but a part of their team.

They even had a whole team that would change your IV lines and hang up your medication, if the patient had a central line to help prevent central line-associated blood stream infections (CLASBI). I would definitely go back to this hospital and recommend it to other travelers.

If you are considering a travel assignment in Houston, TX, make sure to check out the resources provided below:

• Hospital: Children’s Hospital Level III
• Scrub Colors: Royal Blue
• Charting System: EPIC
• Lodging: Lodgeur at Mid Main Lofts. Right by the Metrorail. Be cautious of the homeless people by the rail as well.
• Transportation: METRORail. Cost $1.25 each ride. Red Line – Dryden/TMC: takes you directly into the medical center. I downloaded the app on my phone to buy a ticket and view the estimated arrival time of the next rail.
• Hospital Parking: Can park in the hospital garage for a fee (healthcare agency may reimburse you after assignment).
• Assignments: 1: 2-3 ratio. With three infants, you will have a tech/CNA/PCA working with you. Mostly feeder growers or infants on NC or CPAP
• Floating: NICU Level IV, PICU, OR CVICU. More acuity on these units. Staff on all units were extremely helpful. Usually 1:1-2 ratio.

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If you have more questions, feel free to contact me or drop a comment down below!