7 Critical Care Nurse Jobs to Explore

Nursing is one of the largest healthcare professions — and it’s growing. An aging population and healthcare workforce shortages have led to a high demand for nurses around the U.S.

One popular specialty for nurses is critical care nursing. These highly trained nurses provide advanced care to people facing life-threatening illnesses or injuries. They typically work in intensive care units, emergency rooms, and neonatal and pediatric care units.

Here, we introduce some of the most popular critical care nurse jobs.

You can pursue a variety of critical care nurse jobs, such as ICU nurse, ER nurse, and NICU nurse. Most of these roles require you to have a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), but some may require a master of science in nursing (MSN).

In intensive care units, ICU nurses treat patients with critical illnesses. They conduct health assessments and act quickly to treat patients with worsening conditions. ICU nurses are experts at managing emergency situations and performing life-saving interventions, requiring a unique blend of training, skill, and calmness.

In addition to evaluating vital signs, administering treatments, and monitoring medical equipment, they communicate with patients and their families.

ICU nurses often have a BSN and clinical experience in acute care. This role typically requires long hours in a hospital setting. The ICU can subject nurses to stressful conditions and requires strong decision-making skills.

ER nurses are the first to care for patients with critical injuries or other serious medical conditions.

These nurses conduct health assessments to prioritize patient treatment. They also conduct tests, insert IVs, and communicate with patients and other members of the emergency medical team.

Like other critical care nurse jobs, ER nursing requires quick decision-making skills, the ability to work well under pressure, and the skill to provide life-saving interventions.

Cardiovascular ICU nurses work with patients who have critical heart conditions. These professionals monitor patients, operate heart equipment, and administer medication. They can also care for patients recovering from heart surgery.

During emergencies, cardiovascular ICU nurses may operate defibrillators and other medical equipment. Prior experience in critical care and/or cardiology can help you succeed in this demanding role.

Nurses who work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) care for newborns with medical conditions, premature babies, and children up to age 2 who require ongoing critical support. NICU nurses administer treatments, monitor patients, and communicate with parents and family members.

These nurses work in a high-pressure setting that often requires irregular hours and long shifts. Many NICU nurses have experience in other areas of critical care or neonatal care.

Nurses who work in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) treat critically ill or injured children. Specifically, they assess patients, administer treatments, and operate medical equipment. For example, PICU nurses may insert IV lines, administer infusion therapy, or provide emergency care.

PICU nurses should have strong communication and collaboration skills, as they’re typically part of a team of PICU specialists.

Progressive care nurses care for ill patients who do not require ICU-level care.

Also called intermediate care or step-down care, this specialty focuses on patients who have been released from the ICU, who are recovering from surgery, or who otherwise require attention but are moderately stable.

Progressive care nurses boast strong patient assessment skills. Serving as the bridge between critical care and acute care, these nurses benefit from having broad clinical skills.

Critical care nurse practitioners treat critically ill patients. Their duties include diagnosing medical conditions, creating treatment plans, and prescribing medication.

Many critical care nurse practitioners work in ICUs where they assess and treat patients. Unlike registered nurses, nurse practitioners must have a graduate degree, usually at least an MSN.

As the chart shows, critical care nurse jobs comprise the fourth-highest percentage of nursing roles in the U.S. In 2022, around 1 in 10 nurses worked in critical care.

While there are fewer critical care nurses than there are general and surgical nurses, they make up a much larger percentage of RN jobs than many other nursing roles, including school nurse (3%) and long-term care nurse (3%).

Most of the critical care nurse jobs listed above require a BSN, but there are other nursing jobs you can get if you have an associate degree — or even something higher than a bachelor’s.

Many critical care nurse jobs require a bachelor’s degree, so it’s worth earning a BSN to qualify for more roles. That said, some critical care nurse jobs may only ask for an associate degree in nursing (ADN).

If you want to work in critical care nursing without a BSN, try to gain as much relevant experience as you can in your current RN role. For example, you could offer to help out in your hospital’s ER or ICU.

A BSN will make you eligible for most critical care nurse jobs. With this degree, you can become a progressive care certified nurse, ER nurse, ICU nurse, or cardiovascular ICU nurse.

Some nursing roles may require specialized experience in addition to a BSN.

Critical care nurse practitioner jobs require at least an MSN — sometimes a doctor of nursing practice (DNP).

In this role, you’ll treat critically ill patients, interpret diagnostic tests, order treatments, and create treatment plans. You’ll likely work in a hospital’s intensive care unit.

Nurse practitioners make a median annual salary of $126,260, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

A doctorate in nursing may make you overqualified for some critical care nurse jobs.

With a doctorate in nursing, you can pursue a career as a nursing professor, director of nursing, chief nursing officer, or clinical nurse researcher. Depending on your role, you may be able to narrow your focus on critical care nursing.

According to the BLS, nursing professors earn a median annual salary of $80,780.