ICU Nurse

Critical care nurses use their advanced skills to care for patients who are critically ill and at high risk for life-threatening health problems.

ICU Nurses

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Critical Care Nurse Duties and Responsibilities

When a patient suffers a heart attack, stroke, shock, severe trauma, respiratory distress or other severe medical issue, it is vital that they receive immediate and intensive nursing care. Critical care nurses are adept at providing such care in settings where patients can be given complex assessments and treatment.

Roles and Duties

Specific critical care nurse duties and responsibilities can include:

Assessing a patient’s condition and planning and implementing patient care plans
Treating wounds and providing advanced life support
Assisting physicians in performing procedures
Observing and recording patient vital signs
Ensuring that ventilators, monitors and other types of medical equipment function properly
Administering intravenous fluids and medications
Ordering diagnostic tests
Collaborating with fellow members of the critical care team
Responding to life-saving situations, using nursing standards and protocols for treatment
Acting as patient advocate
Providing education and support to patient families
Critical care nurses may also care for pre- and post-operative patients. In addition, some serve as case managers and policy makers, while others perform administrative duties.

Requirements and Qualifications for Critical Care Nurses

Critical care nurses must first be registered nurses (RNs) with experience in general patient care.

Work Environment

Critical care nurses work in emergency rooms, critical care wards, walk-in clinics, doctor offices and other healthcare settings. Because patients are treated around the clock, critical care nurses are usually required to work rotating shifts that include days, nights, weekends and holidays. The job can be physically demanding, as well, requiring standing, lifting, bending and stretching

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Characteristics and Skills of Critical Care Nurses

Critical care nurses must be proficient in a wide variety of high-level nursing skills.

They need to be experts in evaluating intensive care patients, administering care, recognizing complications and coordinating with other members of the critical care team.

Successful critical care nurses also excel at interpersonal communication, leadership, strategic planning, critical thinking and decision-making.

ICU Nurse

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