Registered nurse in the icu vs critical care nurse

The differences between registered nurse in the icus and critical care nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a registered nurse in the icu has an average salary of $92,881, which is higher than the $76,788 average annual salary of a critical care nurse.

The top three skills for a registered nurse in the icu include patients, BLS and acls. The most important skills for a critical care nurse are patients, BLS, and acls.

Registered nurse in the icu vs critical care nurse overview

	Registered Nurse In The ICU	Critical Care Nurse
Yearly salary	$92,881	$76,788
Hourly rate	$44.65	$36.92
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	631,825	594,859
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	-

What does a registered nurse in the icu do?

A registered nurse in the ICU, or intensive care unit, is responsible for monitoring a patient's progress and performing regular reports to physicians and families. Most ICU patients require extensive attention and assessment, which will require a nurse to be more observant and proactive. A nurse may also have duties producing paperwork, arranging schedules, responding to various inquiries, and crafting a particular care plan. Furthermore, should there be any emergencies, it is crucial to inform the assigned physician right away.

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.

Registered nurse in the icu vs critical care nurse salary

Registered nurse in the icus and critical care nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Registered Nurse In The ICU	Critical Care Nurse
Average salary	$92,881	$76,788
Salary range	Between $54,000 And $156,000	Between $45,000 And $130,000
Highest paying City	Los Angeles, CA	Palo Alto, CA
Highest paying state	Connecticut	California
Best paying company	Scripps Health	Dignity Health
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between registered nurse in the icu and critical care nurse education

There are a few differences between a registered nurse in the icu and a critical care nurse in terms of educational background:

	Registered Nurse In The ICU	Critical Care Nurse
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Registered nurse in the icu vs critical care nurse demographics

Here are the differences between registered nurse in the icus' and critical care nurses' demographics:

	Registered Nurse In The ICU	Critical Care Nurse
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 17.5% Female, 82.5%	Male, 18.9% Female, 81.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 9.2% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	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%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between registered nurse in the icu and critical care nurse duties and responsibilities

Registered nurse in the icu example 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
Manage central venous catheters, including PICC lines, arterial lines as required for administration of medication and nutrition support.
Monitor and manage chest tubes and various drainage devices along with pacer wires, epidural lines, and PCA pumps.

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.

Registered nurse in the icu vs critical care nurse skills

Common registered nurse in the icu skills

Patients, 24%
BLS, 15%
Acls, 10%
Acute Care, 6%
Life Support, 5%
Advanced Life Support, 3%

Common critical care nurse skills

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

Registered Nurse In The ICU vs. similar jobs

Registered Nurse In The ICU related careers

Registered Nurse In The ICU related jobs

Registered Nurse In The ICU jobs by location

Zippia Careers
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Registered Nurse In The ICU
Registered Nurse In The ICU vs Critical Care Nurse

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs