ICU Registered Nurse Jobs in Kentucky
ICU Registered Nurse jobs in Kentucky are concentrated in Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green, where major systems like Norton Healthcare, UK HealthCare, and Baptist Health anchor consistent hiring across the state. Demand runs strong at every level, from new graduates entering adult critical care to experienced nurses specializing in cardiovascular ICU, medical-surgical ICU, and neuro intensive care. Kentucky's growing regional hospital networks keep openings active well beyond the two largest metros. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find ICU Registered Nurse JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 32+ ICU Registered Nurse jobs
Assignment Overview
- Shift: Nights, 3x12hrs
- Hours: 36 hrs/wk
- Start Date: Nov 9, 2026
- Length: 13 weeks
- Openings: 1
Description
American Traveler is hiring an experienced ICU RN requiring 2+ years of specialty experience, KY or compact RN licensure, and ACLS/NIHSS certification for a night shift assignment.
Details
- ICU setting using Meditech EMR
- Night shift schedule (3x12 and 4x12 rotating, 19:00-7:30)
- Rotating 36/48 schedule totaling 84 hours per two-week pay period
- Floating required within scope of practice
- Every other weekend required
- Blocked scheduling cannot be accommodated
Requirements
- Active KY or compact RN license in hand required
- 2+ years of current ICU experience required
- Current certifications required: BLS, ACLS, and NIHSS
- Charge nurse experience preferred
- Valid driver's license matching permanent address required
- 2 professional references required: 1 charge or higher and 1 supervisor, both completed within the last year
- Flu vaccine required, with medical and religious exemptions considered case by case
Additional Information
- Provide critical care nursing to ICU patients, including ventilator management, hemodynamic monitoring, and administration of vasoactive and sedation drips
- Experience with central/arterial lines, PICC lines, and blood product administration preferred
- Skills in managing patients with multisystem organ dysfunction, renal failure, and neurological conditions are valued
- Must reside at least 75 miles from the facility; local candidates not accepted
- Up to 7 days of RTO considered if submitted upfront; no changes accepted once approved
- Must work either a major or minor shift on every holiday
- Travelers must take a minimum 6-month break after one year of service before returning
- Minimal traveler pairs accepted, and pairs will not be scheduled on the same shift or unit
- Orientation occurs bi-weekly
Assignment Overview
- Shift: Nights, 3x12hrs
- Hours: 36 hrs/wk
- Start Date: Nov 9, 2026
- Length: 13 weeks
- Openings: 1
Description
American Traveler is hiring an experienced ICU RN requiring 2+ years of specialty experience, KY or compact RN licensure, and ACLS/NIHSS certification for a night shift assignment.
Details
- ICU setting using Meditech EMR
- Night shift schedule (3x12 and 4x12 rotating, 19:00-7:30)
- Rotating 36/48 schedule totaling 84 hours per two-week pay period
- Floating required within scope of practice
- Every other weekend required
- Blocked scheduling cannot be accommodated
Requirements
- Active KY or compact RN license in hand required
- 2+ years of current ICU experience required
- Current certifications required: BLS, ACLS, and NIHSS
- Charge nurse experience preferred
- Valid driver's license matching permanent address required
- 2 professional references required: 1 charge or higher and 1 supervisor, both completed within the last year
- Flu vaccine required, with medical and religious exemptions considered case by case
Additional Information
- Provide critical care nursing to ICU patients, including ventilator management, hemodynamic monitoring, and administration of vasoactive and sedation drips
- Experience with central/arterial lines, PICC lines, and blood product administration preferred
- Skills in managing patients with multisystem organ dysfunction, renal failure, and neurological conditions are valued
- Must reside at least 75 miles from the facility; local candidates not accepted
- Up to 7 days of RTO considered if submitted upfront; no changes accepted once approved
- Must work either a major or minor shift on every holiday
- Travelers must take a minimum 6-month break after one year of service before returning
- Minimal traveler pairs accepted, and pairs will not be scheduled on the same shift or unit
- Orientation occurs bi-weekly
See All 32 ICU Registered Nurse Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find ICU Registered Nurse JobsICU Registered Nurse Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
ICU Registered Nurse Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- American Traveler11
- Appalachian Regional Healthcare3
- HealthTrust Workforce Solutions3
- Norton Healthcare2
- CommonSpirit Health2
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in ICU registered nurse jobs across Kentucky.
- Active Registered Nurse license issued or recognized by the Kentucky Board of Nursing
- Current ACLS and BLS certifications required before independent ICU practice
- Associate or bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited program
- Minimum one year of critical care or acute care bedside experience preferred
- CCRN certification or active pursuit of it strongly preferred by most Kentucky systems
- Proficiency with ventilator management, hemodynamic monitoring, and vasoactive drip titration
ICU Registered Nurse Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a icu registered nurse in Kentucky?
You become an icu registered nurse in Kentucky by first earning an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited program, then passing the NCLEX-RN exam and applying for licensure through the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Kentucky participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses licensed in other compact states can often practice without obtaining a separate Kentucky license. From there, most ICU positions require completing a hospital-based critical care orientation or residency.
How much do ICU registered nurses make in Kentucky?
ICU registered nurses in Kentucky earn a median of about $81,040 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $64,170 for the lowest 10% to over $111,750 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire icu registered nurses in Kentucky?
Companies currently hiring icu registered nurses in Kentucky include American Traveler, Appalachian Regional Healthcare, and HealthTrust Workforce Solutions, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Kentucky's largest hospital systems, including regional medical centers affiliated with major academic and faith-based networks, tend to post the most consistent ICU volume across the state.
Which Kentucky cities have the most icu registered nurse jobs?
Somerset, Louisville, and Lexington have the most icu registered nurse openings in Kentucky. Louisville leads because it hosts the state's largest hospital systems and a dense cluster of specialty and trauma centers, while Lexington's volume is driven by UK HealthCare and its affiliated medical campus, and smaller cities on the list typically reflect regional medical centers serving surrounding rural communities.
Are there remote icu registered nurse jobs in Kentucky?
Yes, but they're rare. ICU nursing is an inherently hands-on bedside role, so the large majority of positions require on-site presence in a hospital or critical care unit. About 0% of icu registered nurse openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those positions are almost exclusively in tele-ICU monitoring or case management rather than direct patient care.
How can I get hired as a icu registered nurse in Kentucky with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is applying directly to a new-graduate nurse residency program at a Kentucky hospital system. Norton Healthcare and UK HealthCare both run structured residency cohorts that include critical care rotations designed for nurses with limited acute care background. Candidates who have completed clinical hours in a hospital ICU setting and hold current ACLS certification gain a clear edge. Starting in a step-down or progressive care unit is also a common route into a full ICU role at Kentucky community hospitals.
Where can I find and apply to icu registered nurse jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to icu registered nurse jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to Kentucky employers. Search the listings, find the roles that match your experience and credentials, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 32 ICU Registered Nurse Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find ICU Registered Nurse Jobs