Critical Care Nurses make sure all critically ill patients get optimal care for their illnesses and injuries. To do that, they use their specialized skills as well as their in-depth knowledge of the human body and the latest technology in the field. Most Critical Care Nurses work in hospitals, but they can work out of nursing homes, outpatient facilities and flight units, too. As a Critical Care Nurse, you can specialize in treating adults, children, or babies.
Things You'll Do:
- Perform assessments of critical conditions
- Give intensive therapy and intervention
- Advocate for their patients
- Operate life support systems
Your job characteristics:
- Fast-paced
- Multifaceted
- Structured
- Patient-facing
How You'll Get There
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Get YourBachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
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Pass YourNational Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)
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You can start working as a Registered Nurse.
More about becoming an RN › -
You’ll need to work as an RN for a minimum of two years in critical care. Also, you’ll need to take continuing education classes (the amount of hours are set by your hospital), then you can apply to take the certification exam specific to your specialty area.
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Get YourCritical care nursing certification from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
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Depending on where you work, you’ll need to take a certain amount continuing education classes after you get certified in order to stay up-to-date on the latest critical care technology.
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Become aCertified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN)
More About this Specialty
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Meet
Timread his story
Trauma Nurse, Associate
It's hard for me to believe that I have been a nurse for almost 24 years. After being laid off from PanAm...
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Meet
Patread her story
Emergency Nurse, BS/BSN
When two of my best friends went off to college and told me about nursing school, I couldn't wait to do the same thing.
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Where You
Can Workfind jobs- Coronary and intensive care, telemetry, or progressive care units in hospitals
- Flight units
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How Much You
Can Makean average salary of
$45K - $75Kfind salary by stateWhat Else You
Can Expect- You can choose to focus on subspecialties like neonatal, pediatric, or adult intensive care.
- Continuing education is an important part of your job, since you’ll need to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in technology and care.
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