Intensive care nursing is the pinnacle of the nursing world. It's a field that requires an incredible amount of skill, stamina, and more than a bit of courage. But it can also have its rewards: the chance to work with some of the most amazing people in the world and make a difference in their lives.
If you're thinking about becoming an intensive care nurse, this guide will give you all the information you need to make that decision.
We'll talk about what it takes to become an ICU nurse, where to find resources for learning more about this exciting field, and how intensive care nursing compares with other types of nursing jobs.
What is Intensive Care Nursing?
Intensive care nurses are healthcare professionals who specialize in the management of critically ill patients.
They provide direct patient care and administer treatment to patients suffering from trauma, injury, or illness that prevents them from living at home or returning to normal activities.
ICU nurses also provide emotional support for their patients' families during this difficult time.
What ICU Nurses Do?
The duties performed by a critical care nurse vary depending on their level of experience, the size of the facility, and other factors. However, regardless of their assignment, all intensive care nurses must be able to perform these essential tasks:
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- You will be responsible for monitoring and managing the patient's physical and mental condition.
- Administering medications as prescribed by doctors.
- You will provide emotional support to patients and their families.
- Observing patients for signs of infection or other problems that require immediate attention.
- You are also responsible for educating patients and their families about the illness or condition that has led them to the ICU.
- Assist physicians during procedures such as intubation or chest tube placement.
- Caring for surgical wounds and performing wound care tasks such as cleaning, dressing changes, and applying pressure bandages.
Where Do ICU Nurses Work?
ICU nurses can work in a variety of settings. These include:
1. Hospitals
ICU nurses work in hospitals and other health facilities, providing critical care to patients who are very ill or injured. They may also work as part of a team that cares for multiple types of patients in the intensive care unit.
2. Long-term care facilities
ICU nurses also provide care to residents living in long-term care facilities (LTCF). These are places where people with chronic illnesses or disabilities receive long-term treatment and care.
The residents may have mental or physical disabilities that require specialized care, such as dementia or heart failure. LTCF residents often live with their families, but they may also live alone or with other residents who share their needs for specialized medical attention.
3. Home healthcare agencies
Home healthcare agencies provide services to people who need help taking care of themselves at home because of illness or injury.
They can provide services such as nursing care, physical therapy, and medical equipment maintenance when clients are unable to do these tasks themselves due to illness or disability.
What Qualifies a Nurse as an ICU Nurse?
While there is no specific degree required to be an ICU nurse, it’s important to note that all nurses must be registered nurses.
In addition, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) recommends that all ICU nurses have a bachelor's degree in nursing and at least one year of experience as critical care nurses.
It’s also recommended by the AACN that they earn certification as a CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse).
In short: To become an ICU Nurse, you need to be a registered nurse with at least one year of experience as a critical care nurse, and you can decide whether or not you want to pursue further education through certification or other means.
Also Read: How To Become a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
What is the ICU Nurse's Salary?
The ICU nurse's salary varies by state, but it's generally around $79,400. This figure is determined by Salaru.com.
However, according to the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, the average salary for RN is $77,600 per year or $37.31 per hour.
The BLS determines pay rates for different occupations in the United States, which allows you to compare your salary against that of other nurses and determine how much you should be paid.
Whereas the average ICU nurse salary is $95,000 per year as per ZipRecruiter, those with more experience can earn up to $92K annually.
How Do You Become An ICU Nurse?
Becoming an ICU nurse is a serious commitment, but it's also one of the most rewarding jobs a nurse can have. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to become an ICU nurse, but with the right approach and mindset, you can do it!
Here are some tips for becoming an ICU nurse:
1. Earn Your Degree
The first step to becoming an ICU nurse is to earn a degree in nursing. You can get a degree from an accredited university or college, or you can choose to attend an online program.
2. Get Licensed
In the United States, there are two main types of licenses that nurses can earn: a registered nurse (RN) license and a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) license.
To become an ICU nurse, you will need an RN license. The process for getting your license varies by state and agency, but most states require you to pass a licensing exam and complete some type of nursing education or training program.
Once you have completed this training, you will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam — a standardized test for all nurses in the United States.
3. Gain Some Experience
You should always gain some experience when considering a new career path. This could be as simple as volunteering at a local hospital or clinic, but it will help you to decide if this is the right career path for you or not.
You should also consider doing an internship in your chosen field so that you can get hands-on experience in your area of interest before making any major commitments.
4. Get Certified
The last step would be to obtain your certification as an ICU nurse. This can be done through many different organizations such as AACN or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Once these steps are completed successfully, there's nothing left but getting hired at a hospital for that dream job!
Also Read: What Is PACU Nursing?
Why Choose ICU Nursing?
ICU nurses are highly trained and experts in their field. They have to care for patients with various conditions, ranging from the common cold to life-threatening injuries or illnesses.
When you’re looking for a new job, consider applying for ICU nursing positions. Here are some reasons why:
1. You Can Make a Difference
As an ICU nurse, you will be responsible for making sure that your patient gets the best possible care. You will monitor their condition closely and ensure they receive any necessary treatments or medications at the correct times.
If something doesn’t seem quite right with your patient, it is up to you to ensure that they receive all of the help they need as quickly as possible.
2. You Will Learn A Lot About Medicine and Human Anatomy
The more knowledge you have about how bodies work and what happens when they stop working correctly, the better equipped you will be when dealing with patients who have problems with their heart rate or blood pressure levels.
You may also learn about infections that occur in people’s lungs (pneumonia) or infections caused by bacteria entering cuts on their skin (sepsis).
3. You’ll be Highly Sought After
ICU nurses are in high demand. The number of people needing intensive care is on the rise, and with it comes an increased need for ICU nurses. If you choose this career path, you can expect to find a job quickly (and enjoy the respect that comes with being a nurse).
4. Excellent Benefits Packages
One reason why many healthcare workers choose ICU nursing is that they offer some of the most comprehensive benefits packages in the industry.
Most hospitals provide tuition reimbursement, paid continuing education courses, and excellent retirement plans with matching contributions from their employers — all part of their commitment to helping you achieve success.
5. Exceptional Clinical Skills
ICU nurses have exceptional clinical skills in the intensive care setting. They are skilled at recognizing and managing various life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, shock, trauma, and sepsis.
They also know how to manage patients on mechanical ventilators, administer medications and interpret laboratory results.
Specialties For ICU Nurses
You might be surprised to learn that there are many specialties within the intensive care unit (ICU).
Each specialty has its own set of skills and responsibilities, but they all share a common goal: to ensure that patients get the best possible treatment.
If you enjoy working in the fast-paced environment of an ICU, here are some of the specialties available to you.
- Cardiothoracic ICU
- Oncology ICU
- Neurocare ICU
- Surgical ICU
- Medical ICU
- Coronary ICU
- Psychiatric ICU
What is the Career Outlook For An ICU nurse?
The career outlook for an ICU nurse is excellent. As the population ages, more and more people will require intensive care and critical care services. The demand for ICU nurses is expected to increase dramatically in the coming years.
As an ICU nurse, you'll be able to find employment in almost any setting: hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, or private practices—the opportunities are endless!
Also Read: How Much Does Traveling Nurse Make?
Conclusion
So, what is Intensive Care Nursing?
Intensive care nursing is a demanding field that offers rewarding challenges and opportunities to nurses who are willing to work hard, think creatively, and be resilient in the face of difficult circumstances.
If you're interested in becoming an ICU nurse, be prepared for some long hours and a lot of stress—but also know that the rewards are worth it!
Best of luck on your journey!
FAQs
Are ICU nurses paid more?
Yes! ICU nurses are paid more than other nurses because they have a higher level of care and responsibility.
How stressful is ICU nursing?
ICU nursing is stressful. It's a fast-paced environment, with lives on the line and minimal margin for error. Every day presents new challenges and opportunities to help patients, but you'll also face situations that are out of your control—and that can be stressful for anyone.
That said, there are many ways to make ICU nursing less stressful. If you're looking for ways to reduce your stress levels in this type of environment, make sure you're taking care of yourself! Get enough sleep, eat well, exercise regularly, and set aside time each week to do something fun or relaxing.
How to improve ICU nursing care?
There are many ways you can improve your ICU nursing care. First, make sure you understand your role. You are not a doctor, but you do have the ability to provide excellent care to the patients in your care.
Second, it is essential that you know the difference between an emergency and a routine procedure. If a patient needs an emergency procedure, do not hesitate to call for help!
Finally, remember that it is always better to ask questions than it is to guess what the answer might be.
Can an ICU nurse intubate?
Yes, an ICU nurse can intubate.
Intubation is the placement of a breathing tube in the airway, allowing for adequate oxygenation and ventilation of the patient's lungs. Some patients require intubation for short-term use, while others require it for long-term use.
An ICU nurse or respiratory therapist often performs intubation.
