Critical care nurse vs intensive care unit nurse

The differences between critical care nurses and intensive care unit nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an intensive care unit nurse has an average salary of $79,483, which is higher than the $76,788 average annual salary of a critical care nurse.

The top three skills for a critical care nurse include patients, BLS and acls. The most important skills for an intensive care unit nurse are patients, BLS, and acls.

Critical care nurse vs intensive care unit nurse overview

	Critical Care Nurse	Intensive Care Unit Nurse
Yearly salary	$76,788	$79,483
Hourly rate	$36.92	$38.21
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	594,859	611,699
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

What does a critical care nurse do?

A critical care nurse is responsible for providing quality care for patients confined in the intensive care unit of a health care facility. Critical care nurses maintain an organized medical chart to report the patient's condition to an attending physician and other medical professionals. They also administer medication, regularly check the patient's vital signs, and assist the doctors in conducting medical procedures and laboratory examinations. A critical care nurse also suggests care plans for the patients, especially during discharge, to ensure total recovery.

What does an intensive care unit nurse do?

An Intensive Care Unit Nurse is specialized in providing care in intensive care units of hospitals. They assist in the treatment of acutely ill patients with life-threatening conditions.

Critical care nurse vs intensive care unit nurse salary

Critical care nurses and intensive care unit nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Critical Care Nurse	Intensive Care Unit Nurse
Average salary	$76,788	$79,483
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $130,000	Between $48,000 And $131,000
Highest paying City	Palo Alto, CA	Santa Clara, CA
Highest paying state	California	Nevada
Best paying company	Dignity Health	Dignity Health
Best paying industry	Health Care	Education

Differences between critical care nurse and intensive care unit nurse education

There are a few differences between a critical care nurse and an intensive care unit nurse in terms of educational background:

	Critical Care Nurse	Intensive Care Unit Nurse
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Critical care nurse vs intensive care unit nurse demographics

Here are the differences between critical care nurses' and intensive care unit nurses' demographics:

	Critical Care Nurse	Intensive Care Unit Nurse
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 18.9% Female, 81.1%	Male, 18.2% Female, 81.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between critical care nurse and intensive care unit nurse duties and responsibilities

Critical care nurse example responsibilities.

Interpret laboratory results, EKG readings, cardiac monitors, managing medication drips, and ventilator settings.
Monitor chemotherapy and administration of oral chemo medication, obtain laboratory specimens to manage client status via central lines.
Work on the general units of rehabilitation, geriatrics, and telemetry.
Work in critical care floors ranging from MICU to SICU to regular ICU.
Perform emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS, and other condition stabilizing interventions.
Care for patients with a wide variety of critical illnesses and are CCRN certify for many years.

Intensive care unit nurse example responsibilities.

Manage pre- and post-surgical care, specifically for GI disorders.
Manage patients who suffer respiratory/cardiac arrest per ACLS protocol.
Manage patients requiring blood transfusions, iv antibiotic therapy, complications from chemotherapy and radiation.
Care for cardiac patients in CCU.
Incorporate ACLS and BLS algorithms on a frequent basis.
Provide care to ventilator dependent patients, tracheal care, and ICP monitoring.

Critical care nurse vs intensive care unit nurse skills

Common critical care nurse skills

Patients, 31%
BLS, 11%
Acls, 8%
Life Support, 5%
Quality Care, 3%
Compassion, 3%

Common intensive care unit nurse skills

Patients, 22%
BLS, 18%
Acls, 13%
Diagnostic Tests, 6%
Catheter, 5%
Compassion, 5%

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Critical Care Nurse
Critical Care Nurse vs Intensive Care Unit Nurse

Updated January 8, 2025

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