My LER

Critical Care Nurses

Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.

SOC: 29-1141.03

Common Job Titles

Critical Care Nurse PractitionerCritical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)ICU Nurse (Intensive Care Unit Nurse)Staff Nurse

What You'll Need to Succeed

AI-generated

Key competencies for this occupation at a glance

  • KnowledgeSynthesize pharmacological knowledge with patient responses to vasoactive medications and sedation protocols when managing continuous medication infusions and titrating dosages in unstable patients.
  • KnowledgeFormulate individualized nursing care plans addressing multi-system complications using electronic health record systems such as Epic or Cerner Millennium, while prioritizing interventions for critically ill patients.
  • KnowledgeEvaluate patient vital signs, hemodynamic parameters, and laboratory results in critical care and coronary care units, using advanced monitoring equipment to detect life-threatening changes.
  • KnowledgeAnalyze complex patient conditions and multi-system organ failure under high-acuity time-sensitive conditions, integrating medical knowledge and critical thinking to inform treatment decisions.
  • Hands-onOperate advanced life support equipment including intravenous infusion pumps, mechanical ventilators, and cardiac monitors in critical care settings, responding to rapid changes in patient status.
  • Hands-onExecute precisely invasive hemodynamic monitoring procedures and arterial line management following advanced critical care protocols with minimal supervision.
  • MindsetIntegrate patient-centered care with family emotional support during high-stress critical care situations involving end-of-life decisions and complex ethical considerations.
  • KnowledgeAssess neurological status, intracranial pressure, and consciousness levels using specialized monitoring tools and validated assessment scales in intensive care environments.
  • MindsetAdvocate for patient safety and therapeutic interventions when collaborating with interdisciplinary critical care teams including physicians, respiratory therapists, and pharmacists.
  • KnowledgeInterpret electrocardiogram readings and cardiac rhythm abnormalities in coronary care units, recognizing arrhythmias and initiating appropriate interventions independently.
  • Hands-onPerform emergency resuscitation procedures including defibrillation and advanced cardiac life support during cardiac arrest situations, coordinating crash cart equipment and team responses.
  • Hands-onManipulate respiratory support equipment including BiPAP, CPAP ventilators, and endotracheal suctioning devices following evidence-based respiratory care protocols to optimize patient oxygenation.
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Annual wage data for Critical Care Nurses (2024)

Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)

3,282,010

Wage Distribution by Percentile

MetricU.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less$66,030
10% of workers earn the following or more$135,320
Workers on average earn$98,430

+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)

Skills & Requirements

Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance

  • Medicine and Dentistry4.7/5
  • Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
  • Psychology4.1/5
  • English Language4.1/5
  • Biology3.9/5
Tools & Technology

Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation

In-Demand Technology

Frequently requested by employers in job postings

Epic SystemsMEDITECH softwareMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft SharePointeClinicalWorks EHR software

Technology Skills

Allscripts Professional EHRAmerican Association of Critical Care Nurses AACN MedicopeiaAmkai AmkaiChartsBizmatics PrognoCIS EMRCerner MillenniumChartWare EMRGE Healthcare Centricity EMRGoogle Drive

Tools & Equipment

AngiocathsApnea monitorsArterial blood gas testing equipmentArterial line cathetersAutomated external defibrillators AEDAutomated medicine dispensing equipmentAutotransfusion systemsBed scales