Critical Care Nurse

Explore This Path

Thrive in high-pressure environments while saving lives in critical situations.
Make a profound impact by providing life-saving care to critically ill patients.
Utilize advanced skills to manage complex medical emergencies with precision.

💰 Earn $120K-$172K

📚 Associate Degree

⏱️ 24–48 MONTH TRAINING

📈 4.9% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

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

Evaluate patients' vital signs or laboratory data to determine emergency intervention needs.
Monitor patients for changes in status and indications of conditions such as sepsis or shock and institute appropriate interventions.
Administer medications intravenously, by injection, orally, through gastric tubes, or by other methods.
Monitor patients' fluid intake and output to detect emerging problems, such as fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
Prioritize nursing care for assigned critically ill patients, based on assessment data or identified needs.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Associate Degree

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

2 to 4 years

Job Openings

189,100 Annually

Median Earnings

$140,330 in California

$93,600 Nationally

$25K

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Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Relating with or serving others
Thinking and problem solving
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Science
Speaking
Writing

You value 🙏

Accomplishing things
Having support
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Critical Care Nurse

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Hybrid College

A hybrid college combines online learning with the student support typically offered on college campuses, giving students flexibility and accessibility while still providing a comprehensive educational experience.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-5 years

Find Training Near You

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Learn More About The Industry

Healthcare

The primary activities of this group involve delivering medical care and support to patients, including diagnosing illness, treating injuries, administering medication, assisting with daily living activities, and completing corresponding administrative tasks.