Critical care nursing, or intensive care unit (ICU) nursing, is a specialty focused on the care of unstable, chronically ill or post-surgical patients and those at risk from life-threatening diseases and injuries.
What do critical care nurses do?
Learn More...
Critical care nurses care for a broad range of patients including medical, surgical, neonatal, pediatric, neurology, cardiac, pulmonary, transplant, and trauma/burn, to name a few. Critically ill patients often require frequent hemodynamic monitoring and mechanical assistance for failing organs. Critical care nurses should master cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques and the use of life-saving equipment such as cardioverters, defibrillators and mechanical ventilation.
What do critical care nurses need to know?
Learn More...
A profession in critical care nursing requires:
- an understanding of human anatomy and physiology.
- sharp clinical assessment skills.
- vast knowledge about diseases and conditions.
- ongoing education related to recommended ICU treatment options.
More critical care nursing resources
Learn More...
- Nursing Pocket Cards, including arterial blood gas analysis and mechanical ventilation
- Guideline Summaries, including ARDS and sepsis
- Blog posts, with infographics, mnemonics, tips, and more
- Journals
- Articles and nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) activities
- Headlines and news stories
- Society partners
Earn CE with NEW Cross-Training Videos!
*Purchase the complete series and earn 6 contact hours for just $39.95!
- Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation
- Nurses Guide to Ventilator Management
- Nurses Guide to Hemodynamics
- Optimizing Outcomes During Rapid Response Events
- Nurses Guide to Managing Shock
Save time & money with CE Subscriptions!