Critical Care Nurse

Critical Care Nurse

Discover how to become a Critical Care Nurse, a profession at the forefront of healthcare, dedicated to care for critically ill patients. Explore the essential steps in this guide.
Critical Care Nurse

Critical care nurses (CCNs) provide nursing care to critically ill patients who require constant attention and round-the-clock monitoring such as those with heart failure, strokes, respiratory failure, and trauma. They are trained to perform intensive medical interventions in response to sudden and subtle changes in a patient’s condition.

According to the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, approximately 37 percent of all nurses working in a hospital setting are critical care nurses. Of the more than 500,000 practicing CCNs in the United States, nearly half spend a majority of their time caring for patients in a critical care setting.

What Is a Critical Care Nurse?

Critical care nurses (CCNs) provide direct, hands-on care for critically ill or injured patients in pre-and postoperative medical settings. They are tasked with assessing the risks and benefits of proposed medical interventions, rendering life-saving treatment in emergency situations, and nursing patients back to health.

CCNs work in all areas of the healthcare system, including hospitals, intensive care units (ICUs), progressive care units, coronary care units, telemetry units, burn units, step-down units, nursing homes, hospices, outpatient clinics, and some trauma center emergency departments. They are employed in both private and public health facilities.

What Does a Critical Care Nurse Do?

On a day-to-day basis, a critical care nurse will perform intensive medical interventions and maintain the life support systems of critically ill patients following surgery, injury, or life-threatening diseases. Critical care nurses are trained to identify sudden or subtle changes in a patient’s condition and to immediately provide emergency care.

Patients who are critically ill require more frequent nursing assessments and round-the-clock monitoring because their condition can change rapidly without warning. CCNs are typically responsible for only one or two patients at a time because their patients require constant attention.

Critical Care Nurse Job Description

  • Coordinate with health care team members to evaluate, plan, and implement patient care plans
  • Prepare and administer (orally, subcutaneously, through an IV) prescribed medications
  • Provide basic bedside care including dressing changes, catheter care, assisting the patient with moving, and taking vital signs
  • Monitor patients for subtle or sudden changes in ventilation, renal, and cardiac status
  • Report adverse reactions to treatments or medication
  • Order, interpret and evaluate diagnostic tests to assess a patient’s condition
  • Quickly identify when a patient decompensates and alert the rest of the critical care team
  • Initiate corrective action when a patient displays adverse symptoms
  • Monitor and adjust specialized electronic equipment such as cardiac monitors, respirators, ventilators, and oxygen pumps
  • Act as a patient advocate, by respecting the basic rights, beliefs, and values of the patient
  • Communicate essential and appropriate information about a patients’ condition to family members and significant others Provide comfort and end-of-life care

Summary of Steps

How to Become a Critical Care Nurse

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, Critical Care Nurses play a vital role in providing specialized care to patients in critical conditions. If you aspire to join this dynamic field, here are the essential steps to guide you on your journey to becoming a proficient Critical Care Nurse.

01

Earn a BSN Degree

Start your journey by obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, the foundation for a critical care nursing career.

02

Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam

Successfully pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a licensed RN.

03

Gain Critical Care Nursing Experience

Acquire valuable experience by working in critical care units, such as ICU or ER, to develop specialized skills.

04

Get Certified by the AACN

Pursue certification through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) to demonstrate expertise in critical care nursing.

Steps in Detail

1. Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

In order to become a critical care nurse, you must first be a registered nurse. Registered nurses are trained to provide safe, quality patient care in hospitals or other healthcare facilities. There are two undergraduate nursing programs that meet the requirements to become a registered nurse – an Associate’s Degree in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. However, the demands and complexity of critical care nursing require a prospective critical care nurse to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a four-year degree that introduces students to topics such as nursing theory, clinical practice, health promotion, disease prevention, and patient care. Additionally, the curriculum includes advanced classes that focus on topics such as: pharmacology, cardiology, anatomy, physiology and nursing research.

2. Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam

After you have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, you must pass the NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse. The NCLEX-RN is a standardized exam that tests your nursing knowledge and ability to use critical thinking skills to make nursing judgments. It is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), and although each state has its own licensing board, it is accepted as valid in all states.

The NCLEX-RN exam is formulated under the framework, “Meeting Client Needs” and consists of four Client Needs categories and eight subcategories. The four major categories are:

  • Safe and Effective Care Environment
  • Health Promotion and Maintenance
  • Psychosocial Integrity
  • Physiological Integrity

3. Gain Critical Care Nursing Experience

To make the transition from registered nurse to critical care nurse, aspiring CCNs must gain the advanced skills and knowledge needed to perform intensive medical interventions such as intubation, mechanical ventilation, and administering intravenous sedation. Acquiring these skills requires extensive clinical experience working with critically ill patients in a setting such as an intensive care unit (ICU).

The eligibility requirements for CCRN Certification reflect this need for extensive clinical experience. Before a registered nurse can be certified to provide direct care to acutely/critically ill patients, they must complete one of the following clinical practice hour requirement options:

Two-Year OptionFive-Year Option
In the previous two years preceding application, candidates must practice as an RN or APRN for 1,750 hours in direct care of acutely or critically ill patients. 875 of those accumulated hours must be in the most recent year. Candidates must practice as an RN or APRN for a minimum of five years with at least 2,000 hours in direct care of acutely or critically ill patients. 144 of those accumulated hours must be earned in the most recent year preceding application.

4. Get Certified by the AACN

After meeting the critical care experience requirements, a nurse with an unencumbered RN or APRN license may pursue certification as a CCRN through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). The AACN is a professional organization that serves critical care nurses and other healthcare professionals working in the field of critical care.

The AACN CCRN Certification Examination is an evidence-based exam designed to assess competency in clinical practice as well as theory and concepts of practice (knowledge). Passing the CCRN Certification exam demonstrates that a nurse is able to provide safe, quality care for critically ill patients in a variety of clinical situations. Once you become certified as a CCRN, you will be eligible to work as a critical care nurse. The specialized certification is valid for three years and must be periodically renewed.

193 K+
Job Openings Per Year
6 %
Job Growth
$ 89010
Mean Annual Wage

Critical Care Nurse Salary

Critical care nursing is an area of specialization for RNs, which means that all critical care nurses are registered nurses and many are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). According to the most recent data released in May 2022 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earned a mean annual wage of $89,010, or $42.80 per hour.

Highest Paying States for Critical Care Nurses

Critical Care Nurse salaries vary by state, with some CCNs earning substantially more due to high demand in certain metropolitan areas. CCNS in the following states earn the highest average annual salary.

StateHourly WageMonthly PayAnnual Salary
New York$65.82$11,408$136,896
New Hampshire$60.91$10,557$126,690
Vermont$60.27$10,446$125,361
Maine$59.67$10,343$124,120
Hawaii$58.10$10,070$120,842
Massachusetts$58.02$10,057$120,685
Tennessee$57.68$9,998$119,981
Wyoming$57.50$9,966$119,596
Arizona$57.40$9,950$119,402
Nevada$57.06$9,889$118,677

The Benefits of Becoming a CCN

Many nurses question whether or not they should pursue CCRN certification. The path to certification requires a significant commitment on the part of the nurse – critical care nurses must complete a few thousand hours of clinical practice over the course of several years just to meet the eligibility requirements – and the certification exam is very difficult.

However, the rewards for this type of dedication and perseverance are significant. Nurses who earn CCRN certification often report that earning their CCRN credential is the single greatest accomplishment of their career. Additionally, the special recognition they receive from colleagues and patients can be very rewarding. Together, these benefits make a compelling case for pursuing CCRN certification. Other notable benefits include:

Personal Growth

If furthering your medical knowledge and skills is important to you, then becoming a critical care nurse is a fantastic choice. Critical care nurses are exposed to a variety of medical conditions and treatments that they may not be exposed to in other practice settings. Critical care nurses must be able to make quick decisions when administering treatment, and often help resolve difficult life-or-death situations. New learning opportunities and chances for you to progress intellectually and professionally abound when practicing as a critical care nurse.

Autonomy

As a critical care nurse, you will play a large role in a interdisciplinary team. Physicians often report increased respect for nurses who hold a specialty certification, like the CCRN, which can lead to more autonomy and trust. In many cases, physicians may delegate more important decisions to nurses when they feel confident in your assessment skills and the patient is receiving good care. What’s more, critical care nurses often receive opportunities for leadership positions and advanced roles that don’t exist in other practice settings.

More Time With Your Patients

Critical care nurses are responsible for a few patients at a time, so they are able to focus on the details of each patient. When you are working the floor, you may be responsible for up to 4-6 patients (or more), which leaves you less time to learn about each patient. However, when working in a critical care setting, you are responsible for 1-2 patients at time, which allows you to get to know them on a more personal level. This aspect of the job is one of the top reasons why so many nurses love the transition to critical care nursing.

Higher Pay

It is clear that the medical profession values the CCRN certification. When a nurse meets competency standards for a specialty certification, the nurse often becomes eligible for higher pay. Hospitals often pay an hourly differential for nurses who are CCRN certified. According to AACN Salary Survey results, nurses who are CCRN certified earn approximately $10,000 more per year than nurses who are not certified. The difference in pay can be even more substantial depending on your employer.

Additional Resources for CCNs

Critical Care Nurse FAQ

How long does it take to become an ICU nurse?

To become an ICU nurse, you must first be a registered nurse. This typically takes four years of nursing school in a BSN program. In addition to a degree, you will need a significant amount of critical care experience. Many hospitals will not hire recent graduates to work in an ICU. It can take between two and five years, to gain the necessary experience to work in the ICU.

How much does a critical care nurse make per year?

Critical care nurses are registered nurses (RNs) with extensive experience and specialty certifications in acute/critical care nursing. In 2020, registered nurses earned a mean annual salary of $80,010 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to a salary survey conducted by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), nurses who are CCRN certified earn approximately $10,000 more per year than nurses without certification.

What education is needed to become an ICU nurse?

Caring for acutely or critically ill patients requires an advanced skill set. The complexity and demands of the job mean that nurses working in ICUs must have the education and clinical experience to qualify for their position. The minimum education for patient care roles in ICUs varies by location, but most states and employers require nurses to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with additional training in advanced nursing practices.

What is the difference between an ICU nurse and ER nurse?

There are at least five key differences between an ICU nurse and an ER nurse. Learning the differences between these two nurses can help you determine what type of nursing specialization is best for you. The primary differences between an ICU nurse and ER nurse are in the working environment, organizational personalities and responsibilities, goals of patient care, compensation, and patient load.

Read More