Local Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse Jobs

ICU nurses provide care for critically ill patients. They do everything from monitoring vital signs to administering medications and offering education to patients and their families. Because patients in ICU settings can’t care for themselves, ICU nurses also assist with basic needs, like bathing.

They operate life-support equipment, such as ventilators, and ensure that patients and their families understand all treatments and procedures.

Apart from the extensive training and experience that ICU nurses need to have, they must also possess strong decision-making and critical-thinking skills. They must be able to assess a patient’s condition and respond quickly. 

ICU nurses must also possess emotional resilience and compassion. Resilience allows them to keep working in a high-stress environment, and compassion ensures that they offer patients the reassurance and support they need. Additionally, ICU nurses must have strong communication skills to explain complex issues in simple terms.

Becoming an ICU nurse can take between five and six years. You can choose to pursue an associate degree in nursing, which takes two years, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which takes four years. Once you pass the NCLEX to become an RN, you’ll need to accumulate around two years of experience before you can become an ICU nurse.

If you’re already an RN, the process will be much faster. Typically, you can specialize in ICU nursing once you obtain enough training.