How to become a critical care nurse
Provides specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.
At a glance
United States| Median annual pay | $97,550 Median pay for Registered Nurses, BLS, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Pay range | $68,940 to $137,470 Median pay for Registered Nurses, BLS, May 2025 |
| Job outlook | +5.6% by 2035 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
Data from BLS OEWS, May 2025 and BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035.
Critical care nurse salary
United States$97,550 median annual pay
Half of the people in this job earn more than the median and half earn less. Pay varies with location, industry and experience.
Median pay for Registered Nurses, BLS, May 2025.
What a critical care nurse does
Provides specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.
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Check vital signs and lab results to decide if emergency action is needed.
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Watch patients for status changes and signs of sepsis or shock, then act.
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Administer medications intravenously, by injection, orally, through gastric tubes, or by other methods.
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Track fluid intake and output to catch problems like fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
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Set care priorities for assigned critically ill patients based on assessment data or needs.
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Gather and analyze data from monitoring and diagnostic tests.
Skills
Workplace
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Science
- Mathematics
Certification path
Start with an entry exam, then add more as your role grows.
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Entry
For people just starting out.
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Intermediate
For people with some hands-on experience.
Critical care nurse FAQ
Do you need a degree to become a critical care nurse?
BLS lists "Bachelor's degree" as the typical entry education (BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035).
Which certification should you get first?
Many people start with an entry certification such as ATI TEAS or National Council Licensure Examination - NCLEX-RN before moving to more specialized exams.
What does a critical care nurse do?
Typical duties include: Check vital signs and lab results to decide if emergency action is needed; Watch patients for status changes and signs of sepsis or shock, then act; Administer medications intravenously, by injection, orally, through gastric tubes, or by other methods.
Start preparing for your first certification
ATI TEAS is the entry step on this path.
Sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025bls.gov
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035bls.gov
- O*NET 31.0 Databaseonetcenter.org
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