Critical Care Nurses

Critical care nurses must have several years of experience as a registered nurse.

Critical care nurses should like working in a fast-paced environment that requires life-long learning. This is a very intense nursing field, and nurses should be able to make critical decisions quickly and intelligently. New medical technology is constantly being developed and implemented. Critical care nurses should be technically inclined and able to learn how to operate new medical equipment without feeling intimidated.

Critical care nurses must be able to deal with major life and death crises. Because of the seriousness of their loved one's illness, family members and friends may be difficult to deal with and the nurse must display patience, understanding, and composure during these emotional times. The nurse must be able to communicate with the family and explain medical terminology and procedures to the patient and family so they can understand what is being done and why.