A Day In The Life of Critical Care Nurses

In this day in the life guide, you will find out:

  • What does a day as Critical Care Nurses looks like
  • What do they do every day
  • Things they do on a weekly or monthly basis
  • How many hours do they work

The purpose of this is to give you a clear picture of this career so you can make a better career decision on whether this career is suitable for you or not.

Top 2 Featured Schools For Critical Care Nurses

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Typical Day for Critical Care Nurses

Here is a list of tasks that Critical Care Nurses do every day.

  • Evaluate patients’ vital signs or laboratory data to determine emergency intervention needs.
  • Monitor patients for changes in status and indications of conditions such as sepsis or shock and institute appropriate interventions.
  • Set up and monitor medical equipment and devices such as cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms, oxygen delivery devices, transducers, or pressure lines.
  • Administer medications intravenously, by injection, orally, through gastric tubes, or by other methods.
  • Assess patients’ pain levels or sedation requirements.

Weekly and Monthly Tasks

Here is a list of tasks that Critical Care Nurses do on a weekly or monthly basis.

  • Administer blood and blood products, monitoring patients for signs and symptoms related to transfusion reactions.
  • Assist physicians with procedures such as bronchoscopy, endoscopy, endotracheal intubation, or elective cardioversion.
  • Participate in professional organizations and continuing education to improve practice knowledge and skills.

Working Hours

  • How many hours do Critical Care Nurses work per week? 40 hours per week
  • What is the work schedule like? Regular (Set schedule and routine)

Work Environment

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
Exposed to Contaminants
Exposed to Disease or Infections
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Learn more about Critical Care Nurses

Overview | Job Description | Salary | Requirements | Is This Career Right For Me

Related careers to Critical Care Nurses

Registered Nurses
Acute Care Nurses
Respiratory Therapists
Secondary School Career/Technical Education Teachers

This career is also closely related to Burn Center Nurse, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Registered Nurse, Catheterization Laboratory Senior Manager (Cath Lab Senior Manager), Critical Care Nurse, Critical Care Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care Nurse Specialist, Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN), Critical Care Unit Manager, Critical Care Unit Nurse or ICU Staff Nurse (Intensive Care Unit Staff Nurse).

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