What does a critical care nurse do?
A critical care nurse is a registered nurse who cares for patients with life-threatening conditions, usually in an intensive care unit (ICU). They monitor patients closely, manage ventilators and infusions and respond fast when conditions change.
The path in
Become an RN, then work in critical care. Some hospitals hire new graduates into ICU residencies, others prefer experience on a medical-surgical unit first. Critical care experience is also required to enter nurse anesthesia programs: see how to become a nurse anesthetist.
Certification
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses offers the CCRN certification for nurses who care for acutely and critically ill patients. It is voluntary and requires practice hours and an exam. Check AACN for the current rules.
Pay
Registered nurses are one group in federal data, with a median of $97,550 in May 2025. Setting and region explain most of the differences. See pay by state.
Pay and projections: Bureau of Labor Statistics. NCLEX figures: NCSBN. Enrollment: AACN. Sources and years are ondata sources.