How to Become a Critical Care Nurse?

Before understanding how to become a critical care nurse, we need to first look at what exactly is a critical care nurse. Critical care nurses (CCU) are specialized nurses who provide care to patients who are in critical condition – both adults and children. They mainly work in the intensive care unit (ICU) where most of the patients with major, critical, and life-threatening conditions are diagnosed.

There is a range of ICU specialties where critical care nurses can work including surgical, trauma, coronary, medical, burns, cardiothoracic, and high-risk nurseries (NICU). Critical care nursing is one of the most demanding specialties in the nursing field, being a CCU nurse can be extremely challenging both physically and mentally as it has long shifts that can last up to 12+ hours, and only a few can survive in the field successfully but those who do are a special unit of nurses.

CCU nurses often work in coordination with various healthcare staff such as doctors, consultants, physiotherapists, supervisors, and also among themselves as well. There are various duties that CCU nurse performs such as assisting physicians and doctors during surgery, checking patients’ vital signs, taking blood samples, managing ventilation and life support equipment, and ordering diagnostic tests.

A critical care nurse can also administer medication. Their duty doesn’t end here, when a patient is discharged from the ICU and transferred to another unit in the hospital, the critical nurse will cooperate with the new team to ensure a safe transition and keep tabs on the patient’s diagnosis and further treatment. After knowing what a critical care nurse is, if you’re still contemplating a career in CCU, then the following information is for you.

Basic Requirements:

4 Steps to Become a Critical Care Nurse

Now there are several processes or steps to becoming a Critical Care Nurse. Let’s go through them one by one.

Step 1: Education and Knowledge

Critical Care Nurses have to complete a degree or diploma program in nursing and pass a national exam before entering the nursing field. They usually enroll themselves into nursing programs that have courses like human anatomy, physiology, psychology, behavioral science, liberal arts, nursing ethics, mental health, pharmacology, basic physics, basic math, basic chemistry, nutrition, practical nursing etc.

Step 2: License

After completing their education, the nurses need state approval so that they can start working in a clinic or any healthcare organization so they need to take an examination which is called the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Passing this exam will earn them a state-level license which will allow them to work in clinics and hospitals or any healthcare organization.

Step 3: Accumulate Experience

The state-approved nurses need to gain some clinical experience which is offered in hospitals or in any healthcare organization. They usually start as an RN or an entry-level nurse. At first, they don’t do much. They check vitals, administer medication and take care of the patients and evaluate them. They start to garner experience and eventually move further up in the rank or position by performing well in what they do. When they do enough good, they are usually put into intensive units for test purposes which helps them gather the necessary experience for a CCU nurse.

Step 4: Certification

The American Association of Critical Care Nurses offers certification for registered nurses and nurse practitioners in various nursing fields. One of the best ways to progress your career in nursing is to earn a certification. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification which is very important for CCU nurses. Requirements differ from organization to organization but the basic requirement stays the same for example, the number of work hours, license, educational background, knowledge, experience, skills, etc.

Where Do They Work and What They Do?

Now that we know how to become a CCU nurse, let’s take a look at what they do and where they work. Their duties if often described as working with acutely and critically ill patients in clinics, hospitals, burn centers, emergency units etc. The patients they work with usually suffer from life-threatening diseases or injuries, these patients require constant and thorough monitoring and care.

Their regular duties include assessing the patient and administering medication and treatment. They are required to use the life support equipment and other ICU equipment well enough. They advocate for the unique needs and situation of each patient, they also support the patient and their family members both emotionally and mentally.

As they always work with patients in dire conditions, it means they have to have a strong temperament, calm, and mentality and be able to detach themselves emotionally to some degree. They are not advised to not get personal attachments and have strong willpower. As they are a bridge between the patient and their families, they usually communicate between them and they have excellent interpersonal skills.

Salary and Job Outlook

As their demand is always high, they generally earn a healthy sum of money. The job prospect also looks very good for the present age and the upcoming future, their workforce is expected to grow exponentially in the near future, it is assumed that their projected growth rate is 16% and will be on the rise till 2024 which is faster than the 11% average for all positions.

In terms of Salary, they usually earn between $40,000 and $54,999 annually as a beginner. Their salary depends on their skill, place of work, educational background, work hours, and experience. The nursing field is as diverse as it can get, their work range is vast and they can easily get a job if they have the necessary basic requirements.

Conclusion

Critical care nursing is demanding yet fulfilling. It needs dedication, education, and a commitment to patient care. The path to becoming a critical care nurse involves education, clinical experience, and developing skills like critical thinking, empathy, and resilience.

This profession goes beyond saving lives. It deeply impacts patients and their families during difficult times. It requires continuous learning and adapting to evolving medical practices and technology.

Embrace challenges and stay committed to your goals to make a significant difference in critical care nursing.