[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]How Long to Become[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-link href=”#degree-roadmap”]4-6 years[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Job Outlook[/hen-ui-text]5% growth from 2024-2034[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Annual Salary[/hen-ui-text]$94,610[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Does a Critical Care Nurse Do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Critical care nurses possess the same skills as a registered nurse and may undergo additional training to care for acute or critical illnesses. An average workday includes monitoring critical medical support equipment and tending to patients with life-threatening injuries. Critical care nurses require clear communication to interact with other nurses and interdisciplinary teams to stabilize emergency situations. Nurses also work with healthcare providers to administer medical treatments, and keep the patient’s family informed.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Key Skills[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Ability to access and treat patients swiftly and accurately[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Critical thinker in a fast-paced environment[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Good communicator between patients and families[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Physically fit for long, intensive shifts[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Critical Care Nurses Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Critical care nurses apply their advanced training and expertise to various healthcare settings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]They typically work in intensive care units (ICU) but provide care in other healthcare facilities related to emergency injuries or long-term illness. Step-down units look after patients who don’t need as much immediate care as a patient in the ICU but aren’t stable enough to be sent to a medical floor or home. Some critical care nurses can even work from home by supporting other nurses from a teleICU.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]ICU[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Stabilize patients’ health by assessing their condition, administering medicine, and monitoring life support machines[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Adapt and stay calm under high-stress situations where critical thinking is crucial[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Coordinate with the interdisciplinary team and the patient’s family on the best course of action for the patient[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Step-down Units[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Help lower the number of patients in the ICU by providing an intermediate place for more stable patients to go[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Provide care for patients who have just gone through major surgery or continue to need medical support[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Comfort patients and families[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Quickly be able to respond to any changes in a patient’s condition[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]TeleICU[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Create a treatment plan for a patient with other nurses and specialists through videoconferencing[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Have an open mind to new ideas and ways to treat patients with teleICUs being a new development in healthcare[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Technologically capable[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Analytically minded[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Become a Critical Care Nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Critical care nurses bear high-risk, high-reward careers because of the incredible amount of responsibility they carry when caring for patients in life-threatening situations. Nurses have to assume the job of advocate for unconscious patients and form bonds with the patient’s family throughout the patient’s admission. These situations add emotional weight to nurses’ professional lives and can take a toll on their mental health.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Although they carry this heavy burden, there are many benefits to [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/critical-care-nurse/how-to-become/”]critical care nursing[/hen-ui-link]. When working at an ICU or other healthcare facilities, the critical care nurses have access to the most up-to-date medical equipment and get to work alongside veteran professionals. A critical care nurse also has many opportunities to specialize and gain a higher salary or seek higher-level positions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become a Critical Care Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background” header=”Critical Care Nurse Certifications and Specialty Areas”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Adult Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) Adult critical care nurses care for adult patients in or recovering from life-threatening situations. Their daily tasks include monitoring the patients’ vitals and coordinating a treatment plan.Pediatric Critical Care Nurse (CCRN-P)” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacn.org/certification/get-certified/ccrn-peds” target=”_blank”]Pediatric critical care nurses[/hen-ui-link] specialize in providing care to adolescents and children with a wide range of ailments. They need to tailor their care and treatment to match the appropriate age of the patient.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Neonatal Critical Care Nurse (CCRN-P)”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacn.org/certification/get-certified/ccrn-neo” target=”_blank”]neonatal critical care nurse[/hen-ui-link] directly cares for neonatal patients in critical conditions in the hospital neonatal ICU. Neonatal refers to newborn patients under 28 days old.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Critical Care Nurses Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A critical care nurse’s salary varies from geographical location, but they receive a national annual median pay of $94,610. San Francisco, California boasts the highest salaries for critical care nurses, with nurses earning more than 18% above the national average.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The BLS projects that all registered nurses positions, including critical care nurse jobs, will grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-article-card title=”Find State-Specific Salary Data Here” href=”/registered-nursing/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Resources for Critical Care Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacn.org/” target=”_blank”] American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] The AACN community supports acute and critical care nurses with resources and information to help provide the optimal care for their patients. The non-profit organization has a website where nurses can post and talk about everything related to the nursing field. Any practicing or retired critical care nurse is eligible to join after paying a fee.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacn.org/education/online-courses” target=”_blank”] AACN Online Courses[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] The AACN has various online courses available for nurses who want to further educate themselves on certain subjects. Classes offered include the essentials of ECG and dysrhythmia monitoring and fundamentals skills for nurse managers. The courses currently range from 3 to 75 hours of continuing education credit.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.sccm.org/Home” target=”_blank”] Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] Boasting more than 16,000 members in over 100 countries, SCCM offers critical care nurses a massive professional healthcare community. Members of the SCCM can choose from three different membership plans; associate, professional, and select. Each member can utilize SCCM resources and online courses to improve their healthcare skills.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://wfccn.org/” target=”_blank”] World Federation of Critical Care Nurses (WFCCN)[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] Founded in Sydney, Australia, The WFCCN is an international federation for critical care providers. They support their community members by maintaining international cooperation between healthcare professionals, institutions, facilities, and charities that involve critical care. Any healthcare organization or individual that contributes to the critical care community can apply for membership.[/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to become a critical care nurse?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A critical care nurse requires an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing, which typically takes 2-4 years to complete. Along with this, a nurse needs to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to get their registered nurse license. Depending on the state or employer, healthcare facilities may also require certification from the AACN, which calls for a minimum of two years of professional experience.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is a graduate degree required to become a critical care nurse?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A critical care nurse with a graduate degree has the ability to pick from a larger pool of job opportunities, but a graduate degree isn’t required to be a critical care nurse. A graduate degree, such as an MSN prepares nurses by providing them with additional education and training before starting their career.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What career advancement opportunities are available for critical care nurses?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]More career opportunities open up for critical care nurses when they pursue higher education. Critical care nurses can specialize in specific fields like cardiac or neonatal. Critical care nurses who possess a master’s degree or doctorate have the option of working as a [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/critical-care-nurse/”]critical care nurse practitioner[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”33999,34242,34437,34517″][/hen-ui-article-row][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Reviewed by:[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Nicole Galan, RN, MSN” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/c_fill,h_300,w_300,f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto:eco/e_grayscale/v1599580499/experts/Nicole_Galan.jpg” img-alt=”Nicole Galan, RN, MSN” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Nicole Galan is a registered nurse who earned a master’s degree in nursing education from Capella University and currently works as a full-time freelance writer. Throughout her nursing career, Galan worked in a general medical/surgical care unit and then in infertility care. She has also worked for over 13 years as a freelance writer specializing in consumer health sites and educational materials for nursing students.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Galan is a paid member of our Healthcare Review Partner Network. [hen-ui-link href=”/healthcare-review-partners//”]Learn more about our review partners[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex]