Hospitals see all sorts of patients every day. Some of them may just stroll through the doors for a consult. But then there are others who need to be wheeled in on a gurney needing urgent support. In life-threatening situations like this, patients need round-the-clock attention from a special category of healthcare heroes – the critical care nurses.

With their medical expertise and diverse skill sets, these nurses work under the supervision of physicians to provide primary care for critically ill patients. From hands-on daily care, to assisting with life-saving medical procedures, critical care nurses are an instrumental part of patient recovery every step of the way.

Typical responsibilities of a critical care nurse

It’s safe to say that even with more nurses than patients (which is rarely, if ever the case), being a critical care nurse requires you to stay on your toes at all times. On a typical day as a critical care nurse, you can expect to perform some or all of the following duties:

• Monitoring patients: ICUs primarily have high risk patients, who require close monitoring by critical care nurses. That includes recording vital signs, fluid and diet intake, and regularly observing patients for signs of shock or other medical issues that may require immediate intervention.
• Coordinate diagnostic tests: Critical care nurses may also order or perform a variety of diagnostic tests such as electrocardiograms to check a patient’s heart function or other tests that can help assess patient progress or treatment response.
• Administer medication: Critical care nurses dispense medication under the supervision of licensed physicians. This can include oral medication, injections and intravenous medication and fluids.
• Operate equipment: High-risk patients often need complex medical equipment to monitor and support them. Critical care nurses need to ensure that these machines function accurately as the patient’s wellbeing depends upon it. Some of the equipment a critical care nurse may use can include: ventilators, defibrillators, patient monitors, feeding tubes, and more.
• Palliative care: Often terminally ill patients are admitted to intensive care so that their medical needs can be addressed properly. For these patients, palliative care means applying the appropriate pain management methods to keep patient’s as comfortable as possible.
• Assisting with feeding, dressing and hygiene: Patients in the ICU often have limited physical capabilities. They are unable to perform everyday tasks without help. From helping patients feed themselves, and hygiene needs to simply repositioning them to a more comfortable position, ICU nurses provide direct support and assistance with these tasks.
• Be a patient advocate: Critical care nurses typically look after patients who are in a very vulnerable place. That’s why it’s so important for these patients to have someone they can trust to communicate their needs and concerns to. ICU nurses provide integral support and advocacy ensuring the patient’s rights are respected, and their needs are always treated as a priority.
• Educate patients and families: Medical jargon can be difficult to understand, especially for people who aren’t used to it. It’s often up to nurses to educate patients and their loved ones so that they can make informed decisions about treatment.
• Respond to emergencies: ICU patients are closely monitored because they may be in a medical situation that can deteriorate rapidly. Critical care nurses play a pivotal role in ensuring emergencies are responded to promptly and are trained to take immediate action in these scenarios to stabilize patients in distress.

How to become a critical care nurse?

So now that you know what your life as an ICU nurse will be life, how do you get there? The path is actually easier than you think!

While the requirements to become a critical care nurse can vary from state to state, most states require RNs to complete an accredited bachelor degree program in nursing at a minimum.

However, every state requires licensure by passing the applicable NCLEX exam for the nursing role you’re pursuing. Most nursing program curriculum is designed to prepare you for the NCLEX exam. Once you pass the exam, you’ll be eligible for licensure and can pursue roles in critical care.

Once you’ve gained some experience in the field, you can choose to pursue additional certifications that can help you expand your skill set and open the door to more opportunities. Some employers will require critical care nurses be certified in CPR and other life-saving techniques as well.

Salary expectations for critical care nurses

With the national annual average salary of $74,991 and a steadily increasing demand for nursing professionals, becoming a critical care nurse can be a rewarding and also lucrative career. These numbers can vary according to location and years of experience as well. For example, nurses in California earn 51.7% more than the national average, and nurses with 20 years of experience earn over $40 an hour.

Career growth prospects for critical care nurses

The sky’s the limit if you’re talking career potential for ICU nurses! You have so many paths open to you. You can choose to specialize in areas like research, administration, or advanced practice. Plus, you can also explore fields like cardiology, neonatal care, pediatrics, or become a trauma and burn unit nurse. If you’re the more adventurous kind, you can also apply for positions as a travel nurse or a cruise ship nurse!

Obtaining those additional certifications and advanced education can also help maximize your job opportunities.

And if we’re talking job vacancies, don’t worry, job security isn’t likely to be an issue! The recent pandemic amplified the impact of staffing shortages in critical care. Even today, nurse shortages continue to be scarce in hospitals across the country. And with the average age of nurses in the U.S. being 44 years old, the need for nurses is only going to increase as nurses age out or retire from the profession.

Final thoughts

Working in acute care can be really exciting, especially if you’re passionate about medicine. You can learn about advanced medicines and medical technology. And being part of an interdisciplinary team, you will also have tons of opportunities to collaborate with other professionals. This can also present networking opportunities in the long run!

From organizing skills to prompt decision-making, your experiences in the ICU can prepare you for everyday challenges outside of work. So, if you’re passionate about healthcare and want a fulfilling nursing career, being a critical care nurse might just be the calling for you!