Intensive Care Nurses: What do ICU Nurses Do?

Table of Contents:

Introduction
What Is An ICU Nurse?
What Does An ICU Nurse Do?
How To Become An ICU Nurse?
How Much Do ICU Nurses Earn?
ICU Nurse Responsibilities Based On Types
ICU Nurse: Nursing Care and Beyond

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses, also known as critical care nurses, are at the heart of patient survival in life-threatening conditions. These highly skilled professionals manage complex medical equipment, monitor vital signs, and make critical decisions to keep patients stable. ICU nurses are responsible for providing direct care to patients with severe injuries or illnesses, often in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies, ICU nurses are instrumental in improving patient outcomes, with their expertise linked to a 20% lower patient mortality rate compared to those without specialized care. This statistic underscores the profound impact ICU nurses have on patient survival and recovery. In addition to technical skills, their ability to make split-second decisions and provide compassionate care makes them invaluable to the healthcare system. Let’s learn their roles and responsibilities better.

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What Is An ICU Nurse?

ICU nurses are specialty nurses who work in intensive care units or critical care units. Patients in ICU premises require more intensive and critical care as compared to patients in med-surgical wards or orthopedic wards. These patients are unstable compared to patients in other wards. Intensive care unit nurses are nurses who have undergone additional extensive training to take care of such patients.

What Does An ICU Nurse Do?

Ever wondered what an ICU nurse does? ICU nurses provide life-saving care, managing critical treatments and monitoring patients in high-pressure situations. In fact, studies show they’re linked to a 20% lower patient mortality rate compared to non-specialized care. They, along with Doctors and specialists to assess, treat, and monitor critically ill patients while also providing their basic care.

Here are the main duties of an ICU nurse:

Creating an individual care plan for each patient.
Providing bedside care to admitted patients.
Evaluating the progress of a patient by regular monitoring of vitals such as heart rate, oxygen levels, respiratory levels, pulse rate, and temperature.
Responding to emergencies that patients may encounter.
Running diagnostic tests and blood works to monitor the state and ensure the recovery of the patient.
Collaborating with healthcare professionals to carry out imaging diagnostics if the concerned doctor or specialist recommended any.
Collaborating with other healthcare professionals and maintaining records of the admitted patient is also the duty of an intensive care unit nurse.
Updating the concerned doctors or specialists about the condition of patients.
An intensive care nurse is also responsible for conveying necessary details to the patient’s family or relatives.
They are also responsible for advocating for the needs of critically ill patients.
An intensive care nurse also maintains inventory or proper records and registers of medications, instruments, and equipment used in an ICU.
They are also advised to provide emotional support to both the patient and their family.

How To Become An ICU Nurse?

Working in the ICU means caring for the sickest patients, responding quickly to emergencies, and using advanced medical tools on a daily basis. It is a high-responsibility role but also one of the most rewarding in nursing. Here’s how you can get there:

Earn a Nursing Degree

Begin your journey by completing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). While both qualify you to become an RN, a BSN is often preferred for ICU positions in larger hospitals and specialized care units.

Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam

After earning your degree, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become a licensed Registered Nurse. This standardized test checks your ability to provide safe and effective nursing care in real-world healthcare settings.

Gain Clinical Experience

Before stepping into intensive care, most hospitals require one to two years of experience in general med-surg or telemetry units. This phase helps you build core nursing skills, improve decision-making, and get comfortable with time-sensitive and high-pressure situations.

Complete Required Clinical Hours

To qualify for advanced ICU certifications like the CCRN, you must complete a specified number of direct patient care hours in a critical care setting. These clinical hours ensure that you have had hands-on exposure to ICU protocols, emergencies, and patient monitoring.

Apply for ICU Positions

With solid experience and licensure, begin applying for ICU roles. Some hospitals offer transition programs or residencies that train experienced RNs for critical care environments, giving them the skills and confidence needed to work in high-acuity situations.

Consider ICU-Specific Certifications

Strengthen your ICU profile with certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). Over time, aim for the Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) credential, which proves your advanced competency in handling complex and unstable patients.

How Much Do ICU Nurses Earn?

ICU nurses tend to earn more than regular staff nurses due to the complexity of their work and the high-pressure environment in which they operate. On average, ICU nurses in the United States earn around $94,800 per year, depending on their location, experience, and any additional certifications.

In high-paying states like California or New York, ICU nurses can earn between $140,000 to $170,000 annually, while in lower-paying states, the salary may range from $70,000 to $85,000. Night shifts, overtime, and working in specialized ICUs, such as cardiovascular or neuro ICUs, can also increase earnings.

Getting certified and gaining more years of ICU experience often leads to better pay and more leadership opportunities. So, while the job is tough, the financial rewards and career growth make it a solid choice for many nurses.

ICU Nurse Responsibilities Based On Types

Based on the kind of specialty ICU a nurse is assigned, the technical skill and clinical knowledge they need to have also varies. The needs of patients admitted to different ICUs are different. So are the roles and responsibilities of the concerned ICU nurses. A few of the main responsibilities of different types of ICU Nurses are listed below.

Cardiovascular ICU Nurses (CCU)

These nurses care for patients with severe heart conditions, like heart attacks or those needing cardiac procedures. They monitor heart rhythms, manage medications, and use advanced tools like intra-aortic balloon pumps and cardiac catheters. Staying alert to sudden changes is key here.

Medical ICU Nurses (MICU)

MICU nurses handle patients with serious medical issues like sepsis, pneumonia, strokes, or GI bleeds. They’re responsible for giving meds, tracking vital signs, running ventilators, and reacting fast to any changes in the patient’s condition.

Surgical ICU Nurses (SICU)

These nurses care for patients before and after major surgeries. They prep patients for surgery, monitor their recovery, and make sure everything, from vitals to wound care, is on track for a smooth healing process.

Neonatal ICU Nurses (NICU)

NICU nurses care for fragile newborns, especially those born premature or with complications at birth. They monitor everything from breathing to feeding, and they provide gentle, around-the-clock care for babies who need extra support to survive and grow.

Neurological ICU Nurses (Neuro ICU)

These nurses care for patients with serious brain or spinal injuries, such as strokes, brain bleeds, or tumors. Many patients may be unconscious or on ventilators, so nurses regularly check GCS scores, manage medications, and monitor every small change in brain function.

ICU Nurse: Nursing Care and Beyond

Whenever we speak of nurses, what comes to mind for a commoner is healthcare workers providing care and support to sick people. However, the duties and responsibilities of an ICU nurse can sometimes go beyond the ICU nurse’s definition of providing patient care alone.

An ICU nurse is usually assigned to only 1-3 patients at a time to be able to exercise proper monitoring and have a proper track of their complete medical records from the moment the patient is brought to the ICU till they leave the premises. Having good computer skills is essential in tracking data and maintaining medical records of patients in the critical care unit. Being constantly trained in receiving skills for researching and critical thinking is an answer to what do ICU nurses do, to be able to handle times of crisis.

References:

What Do ICU Nurses Do: Roles & Responsibilities?

Updated on: June 17, 2025