OVERVIEW
What is an ICU Nurse?
An ICU nurse works in the intensive care unit, attending to patients who are dealing with serious and often life-threatening conditions. While ICU patients may be slightly more stable than those with critical conditions who are in the ER, they still require heavy monitoring and attention. ICU patients’ conditions can change at any moment, resulting in serious consequences and even death.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does an ICU Nurse Do?
As an ICU nurse, you’ll provide life-saving care to patients that are extremely sick or fighting for their lives within the intensive care unit. These patients require 24/7 nursing and are often intubated, ventilated, and on several medications, so you’ll need to be well versed in all aspects of wellness restoration.
Essential duties for the job include:
- Monitoring and evaluating patient progress.
- Identifying changes in patient condition.
- Beginning treatment and monitoring doses.
- Responding to medical emergencies and alerting doctors.
- Delivering ongoing updates to doctors, patients, and patient family members.
- Caring for patient needs during recovery, including creating plans of care.
- Maintaining patient records and completing transfer paperwork.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become an ICU Nurse?
To work as an ICU nurse, you must first become an RN by graduating with an ADN or BSN from an accredited nursing program. You’ll then get your licensure by passing the NCLEX-RN exam.
Next, you’ll need to gain at least two years of nursing experience in a position that specializes in intensive care nursing. And, as with the journey to becoming an ER nurse, you must get an advanced certification specific to the role.
The most popular credential for ICU nurses is the Certification for Adult Critical Care Nurses (CCRN Adult). To be eligible to sit for this exam, you must meet one of two criteria:
- Practice as an RN or APRN (advanced practice registered nurse) for 1,750 hours in direct care of acutely or critically ill patients during the past two years. 875 of these hours must be accrued in the year preceding application.
- Practice as an RN or APRN for at least five years with a minimum of 2,000 hours in direct care of acutely or critically ill patients. 144 of these hours must be accrued in the year preceding application.
You can also choose to get your CCRN certification with a pediatric or neonatal specialization.
Best Degrees for an ICU Nurse
Health & Nursing
Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a...
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:
- Locations: Due to in-person clinical requirements, students must be full time residents of Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin to enroll in this program. The coursework in this program is offered online, but there are in-person requirements.
- Tuition: $8,755 per 6-month term for the first 4 terms of pre-nursing coursework and $8,755 per 6-month term for the remaining 4 terms of clinical nursing coursework.
- Time: This program has a set pace and an expected completion time of 4 years. Certain coursework may be accelerated to finish faster.
- WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
- If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Community Health
- Women's and Children's Nursing
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Research
Health & Nursing
Nursing (RN-to-BSN Online) – B.S.
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added...
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added theoretical depth, employability, and respect that a bachelor's degree brings:
- Time: The program is designed to be completed in 1 year.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 23 total courses in this program.
- Transfers: Students can transfer up to 90 credits.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Healthcare Policy and Economics
- Information Technology in Nursing Practice
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Applied Healthcare Statistics
If you don't currently have an RN and don't qualify for your nursing prelicensure program, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry in a unique way.
Health & Nursing
Nursing – Leadership & Management (RN-to-MSN) – M.S.
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap...
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap toward becoming a nurse leader.
- Time: 62% of RN-to-MSN grads finish within 37 months.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term during undergraduate portion and $5,035 per 6-month term during graduate portion.
- Courses: 32 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Quality Outcomes in a Culture of Value-Based Nursing Care
- Nursing Leadership and Management
- Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
- Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care
If you're driven to lead, this online nursing degree will provide you everything needed to make that career a reality. This program is ideal for current RNs who are interested in earning both their BSn and MSN in an accelerated program.
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
Health & Nursing
Nursing – Education (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S.
A master's in nursing education program for nurses with BSNs....
A master's in nursing education program for nurses with BSNs.
- Time: 62% of grads finish within 24 months.
- Tuition: $5,035 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 15 total courses in this program.
This program is ideal for RNs who already have their BSN and are ready to progress in their career.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Contemporary Curriculum Design and Development in Nursing Education
- Quality Outcomes in a Culture of Value-Based Nursing Care
- Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
- Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care
- Leadership and Management
Hospitals and other facilities need nurse educators. Earn your MSN – Education and step into a role inspiring and empowering caregivers.
Health & Nursing
Nursing Education – Post-Master's Certificate
A specialty certificate in nursing education for nurses with MSNs....
A specialty certificate in nursing education for nurses with MSNs.
This program will prepare you to teach the next generation of nurses.
- Time: Students typically finish this program in 12 months.
- Tuition: $5,035 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 8 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Contemporary Curriculum Design and Development
- Assessment of Student Learning
- Facilitation of Student-Centered Learning
Hospitals and other facilities need nurse educators. Earn your Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing Education and step into a role inspiring and empowering caregivers. This program will prepare you to sit for the National League for Nursing Certified Nurse Executive (CNE) exam.
How Much Does an ICU Nurse Make?
$118,725
According to ZipRecruiter, the national average annual salary for ICU nurses in 2023 is $118,725. The top one percent can make as much as $171,500 or more per year. Pay can vary depending on the state and level of education and experience.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
6%
From 2022 to 2032, employment for registered nurses is expected to grow 6%. ICU nurses may be in even greater demand as they require an elevated skill set and greater level of certification.
SKILLS
What Skills Does an ICU Nurse Need?
The ICU provides ongoing treatment to patients with life-threatening medical conditions. Patients can be transferred to the ICU after being stabilized in the ER, or they can have planned ICU stays to recover from invasive surgeries. Patients experiencing severe complications from chronic illnesses may also be admitted to the ICU. ICU nurses are organized and meticulous planners that love the detailed level of care they provide. They seek numerous responsibilities and are exceptional multitaskers. ICU nurses may focus on just 2 patients over multiple shifts. ICU nursing requires the ability to follow procedures with a sharp eye for details. The stakes are still high, although less urgent. So you must be patient and have keen observation skills to notice subtle changes in patient conditions.
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No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!
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