Ward Nurse (Pediatric ICU)

Mercy Ships is an international charity that brings hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor through state-of-the-art hospital ships. Since 1978, our volunteer crew—made up of medical professionals and skilled workers from over 60 nations—has delivered free surgeries and medical care to over 2.8 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, transforming lives one patient and one port at a time. Join our global team of over 3,000 volunteers and help us change lives daily.

About this role

Working hands-on to deliver inpatient surgical care to our patients, the Ward Nurses work around the clock to see that each and every patient receives the care and attention they deserve. Our Pediatric ICU Nurses primarily work on the Wards, and are assigned to the ICU when pediatric patients are admitted.

What you will contribute

• Administer holistic patient care to critically ill pediatric patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)/High Dependency Unit when ICU patients available. Most often, Pediatric ICU nurses are working on a  mulit-bed open ward with a multiple patient assignment of both children and adults.

• Employ recent surgical experience in providing pre- and post-operative care to patients receiving maxillofacial, reconstructive plastic, general, pediatric, women’s health or orthopedic surgery. Experience in one of these surgical specialties preferred

• Partner with local Day Crew translators to provide culturally sensitive and compassionate care to patients

• Coordinate patient care with the specialty Team Leaders, Charge Nurses, Hospitalist Physicians and Surgeons

For This Role, You Will Need

• Registered Nurse with active license in home country; a minimum two years’ experience needed after licensure

• Recent PICU/NICU experience of at least one year full-time or three years part-time in the past 5 years AND at the point of application can show working 30 hours or more per week in an acute inpatient surgical/medical/Emergency Room or ICU setting within the past 12 months

• Current Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification with theory test and hands-on skills assessment is required; PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) preferred and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) optional

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with fluency in English

• An ability to effectively work with others in a cross-cultural environment

• Completion of Mercy Ships On Boarding program for commitments 12 months or more

The experience of a lifetime is calling.

More than 1,200 volunteers from over 60 nations serve with Mercy Ships each year.

At Mercy Ships, we are proud to be recognized around the world for the life-changing surgeries and training we deliver. We could not achieve this without our dedicated community of talented volunteers.

Imagine finishing your shift and stepping onto deck as the sun sets—knowing that today you’ve helped transform the lives of those who need it most. Apply now to start a journey that will reshape the lives of those you serve — and your own.