Can you work in the ICU as an RN?

Yes, you can work in the ICU as an RN. However, this will vary depending on the healthcare system, as oftentimes, Intensive Care Units will only hire nurses coming out of other ICUs or nurses with at least several years of experience behind them.

How many years does it take to become an ICU nurse?

It takes four to six years to become an ICU nurse. This range is due to the fact that there is more than one possible path to starting this career. Holding a degree from an accredited nursing institution is a requirement. However, this can either be an associate's degree (which takes about two years) or a bachelor's degree (which usually takes four years).

What do you call a nurse that works in the ICU?

A nurse that works in the ICU is called a critical care nurse. Critical care nurses are in charge of treating more acutely ill patients in hospitals, whether they be pediatric, neonatal, or adult. These patients tend to require more frequent assessments and, often, the use of life-sustaining technology and/or drugs.

What education is needed to become an ICU nurse?

To become an ICU nurse, you must first hold a degree from an accredited nursing institution. This can be either an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree. Bachelor's degrees tend to be more attractive to employers, but associate's degrees tend to be less of a financial burden on the student.

What is a registered nurse in the icu and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Beverly Malone Ph.D.,

Kim Raines

A registered nurse in the ICU (intensive care unit) provides care to critically ill patients. They deal with complex medical conditions and life-threatening situations. Their duties include monitoring patients' vital signs, administering medication, and providing emotional support to patients and families. They collaborate with physicians, respiratory therapists, and healthcare professionals to develop and implement treatment plans and communicate with patients. The role of a registered nurse in the ICU requires critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

What general advice would you give to a registered nurse in the icu?

Dr. Beverly Malone Ph.D.

President and CEO, National League for Nursing

With the pandemic making health care and nursing more important than ever before, graduates will need to enter the workforce with courage, caring, and commitment. We know that COVID-19 will likely be in their workplaces, so we need to make sure they have the appropriate personal protective equipment they need to care for those in need. New nurses also need to make sure they have the appropriate training to handle a pandemic, and they should have the courage to have conversations with their employers about the protection they need. This will be new and not part of the conversation you would have had prior to the pandemic.

You also need to talk to your employer about flexibility around taking time away from your work to recharge and refresh. New graduates should also consider their work-life balance to maintain their well-being. Those looking for new jobs will need to consider their well-being as a priority as they compare positions and opportunities.

ScoreRegistered Nurse In The ICUUS Average

Salary

7.3

Avg. Salary $92,881

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.44%

Asian 9.24%

Black or African American 11.52%

Hispanic or Latino 8.91%

Unknown 4.25%

White 65.64%

Gender

female 82.49%

male 17.51%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.1

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.8

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a registered nurse in the icu?

Pros

Opportunity to save lives
Exposure to advanced medical technology
Excellent pay and benefits
Opportunities for career advancement and specialization
High demand for ICU nurses, leading to job security

Cons

Physically demanding work, including long hours on your feet and heavy lifting
Exposure to infectious diseases and potential workplace hazards
Potential for burnout and compassion fatigue
Challenging interactions with patients and their families during emotionally charged situations
High risk of experiencing moral distress or ethical dilemmas in decision-making

Key steps to become a registered nurse in the icu

Explore registered nurse in the icu education requirements

Most common registered nurse in the icu degrees

Bachelor's

48.4 %

Associate

39.1 %

Master's

6.3 %

Start to develop specific registered nurse in the icu skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	23.51%
BLS	14.90%
Acls	9.55%
Acute Care	6.13%
Life Support	4.59%

Complete relevant registered nurse in the icu training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New registered nurse in the icus learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a registered nurse in the icu based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real registered nurse in the icu resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming a licensed registered nurse in the icu usually require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed registered nurse in the icu in most of states. 43 states require registered nurse in the icus to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alabama	Degree required	State exam required	Registered Nurse (RN)
Alaska	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Nurse, Registered
Arkansas	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Registered Nurse (RN)
California	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Nurse, Registered
Colorado	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Registered Nurse

Gain additional registered nurse in the icu certifications

Registered nurse in the icu certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific registered nurse in the icu certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for registered nurse in the icus include Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS) and Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC).

More About Certifications

Research registered nurse in the icu duties and responsibilities

Manage care of patients with HTN, DM, COPD, asthma, stroke, renal failure.
Achieve initial CCRN this employment environment.
Manage care for patients with multiple chronic/acute conditions including renal, cardiac, respiratory, GI and diabetic.
Manage care of patients who require cardiac monitoring, including dialysis, COPD, CHF and pre/post surgical patients

Prepare your registered nurse in the icu resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your registered nurse in the icu resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a registered nurse in the icu resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable registered nurse in the icu resume templates

Build a professional registered nurse in the icu resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your registered nurse in the icu resume.

Apply for registered nurse in the icu jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a registered nurse in the icu job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

Average registered nurse in the icu salary

The average registered nurse in the icu salary in the United States is $92,881 per year or $45 per hour. Registered nurse in the icu salaries range between $54,000 and $156,000 per year.

Average registered nurse in the icu salary

$92,881 Yearly

$44.65 hourly

How do registered nurse in the icus rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Registered nurse in the icu reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022

Cons

What is there not to like? It's such a rewarding job!

A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2021

Pros

Caring for patients

Cons

Staffing ratios, unfairness, constant expectations. Healthcare is a business but doesn’t treat nurses like business employees

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020

Pros

Caring for others. The different procedures and experiences I come in contact with daily.

Cons

The hours worked at times. The pay could be greater.

What is a registered nurse in the icu and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a registered nurse in the icu?

What are the pros and cons of being a registered nurse in the icu?

Registered nurse in the icu career paths

Key steps to become a registered nurse in the icu

Explore registered nurse in the icu education requirements

Most common registered nurse in the icu degrees

Start to develop specific registered nurse in the icu skills

Complete relevant registered nurse in the icu training and internships

Obtain the necessary licensing

Gain additional registered nurse in the icu certifications

Research registered nurse in the icu duties and responsibilities

Prepare your registered nurse in the icu resume

Choose from 10+ customizable registered nurse in the icu resume templates

Apply for registered nurse in the icu jobs

How did you land your first registered nurse in the icu job

Average registered nurse in the icu salary

How do registered nurse in the icus rate their job?

Registered nurse in the icu reviews

Registered nurse in the icu FAQs

Can you work in the ICU as an RN?

How many years does it take to become an ICU nurse?

What do you call a nurse that works in the ICU?

What education is needed to become an ICU nurse?

Search for registered nurse in the icu jobs

Registered nurse in the icu jobs by state