Registered Nurse In The ICU skills for your resume and career

Patients are individuals receiving medical care. Registered nurses in the ICU use patients to provide direct care, manage and coordinate care, and monitor and assess their condition. They also provide health education to patients and their families. As Allyssa Harris RN, PhD, WHNP-BC, Dean and Professor at Prairie View A & M University, states, "Daily, nurses with the health care team to manage and coordinate patient care which include physical assessments-assessing, observing, and evaluating the patient's response to care, administering medication and treatments, assisting with procedures, and providing health education to patients and their families."

BLS, or Basic Life Support, is a level of medical care used in emergency situations. Registered nurses in the ICU use BLS to provide care to critical patients. They maintain BLS certifications, which enables them to initiate and carry out BLS when needed. They also demonstrate their BLS skills during code situations. As Sophia Thomas, President of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, points out, "The bureau of labor statistics (BLS) offers an excellent breakdown of salaries by region and state as well."

ACLS stands for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. Registered nurses in the ICU use ACLS to provide life-saving interventions in critical situations like cardiac and respiratory arrests. They apply ACLS protocol to stabilize patients, manage code situations, and initiate measures like defibrillation. They also teach and instruct other staff members on ACLS procedures.

Acute care is a type of medical care that focuses on treating patients who are critically ill or have severe injuries. Registered nurses in the ICU use acute care by providing specialized skills to a diverse patient population. They may also use acute care protocols to provide high-quality skilled nursing care and deliver compassionate care to patients and their families in the acute care/critical care setting. As Cynthia L. Dakin, Professor at Elms College, puts it, "patients will continue to spend less time in the acute care setting with each visit. Therefore, nurses in the community or in rehabilitation or long-term care facilities will be needed to assist patients in reaching their optimum level of health to be maintained at home or in long term care facilities."

Life support refers to the medical equipment and procedures used to sustain or restore a patient's vital functions, such as breathing or blood circulation. Registered nurses in the ICU use life support by managing care for critically ill patients, including medication management and the use of life support systems. They also monitor and maintain life support equipment like ventilators, feeding tubes, and critical drips. This often involves identifying emergent life-threatening changes in a patient's condition and initiating basic life support.

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a lifesaving technique used to help someone whose breathing or heartbeat has stopped. Registered nurses in the ICU use CPR to help patients in critical conditions, manage emergency situations, and initiate or participate in codes when necessary. They also assist with other emergency procedures, such as intubations.

Direct patient care is the act of a healthcare professional providing medical assistance and support directly to a patient. Registered nurses in the ICU use direct patient care by providing assistance to acutely ill patients, monitoring their progress, and coordinating plans of care with multidisciplinary departments. They also provide direct patient care for post-op patients, including those who have undergone open heart surgery. As Alison Alaimo MSN, RN, Undergraduate Program Director/Clinical Assistant Professor at Missouri State University, points out, "Administrative burdens such as documenting can reduce the amount of time a nurse can spend on direct patient care."

Discharge planning involves coordinating and preparing patients for release from a healthcare facility. Registered nurses in the ICU use discharge planning to ensure a smooth transition for patients by assigning staff, educating patients and families, and organizing resources. They also work closely with other departments to meet psycho-social needs and plan for long-term care.

Rehabilitation is the process of helping a patient recover from an illness or injury. Registered nurses in the ICU use rehabilitation to promote optimal healing and recovery. They create discharge plans to maximize a patient's rehabilitation potential and provide education on topics such as nutrition, exercise, and cardiac rehabilitation. They also coordinate interdisciplinary care and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation.

Quality care is the provision of excellent service to patients, ensuring they receive the best possible treatment. Registered nurses in the ICU use quality care by directly monitoring, recording, and evaluating their patients' medical conditions. They also work collaboratively with doctors to ensure quality care and recognize complications. As Gloria Boseman Ph.D., Professor at New Jersey City University, puts it, "deliver safe, quality care. It's your first job, not your forever job."

Patient safety is the protection of patients from harm caused by medical errors, infections, and other health care-related risks. Registered nurses in the ICU use patient safety by administering medications carefully, maintaining care standards, and following hospital policies. They also participate in committees focused on patient safety and attend meetings to discuss ways to improve it. They ensure patient safety and comfort while delivering quality care, and maintain patient dignity at all times.

Compassion is the act of showing care and kindness towards others. Registered nurses in the ICU use compassion in their daily work by providing emotional support to patients and their families, handling difficult situations with empathy, and easing the experience of end-of-life care. As Mary Farmer MSN, RN, Associate Professor, Practical Nursing Program Coordinator at the University of Hawaii Maui College, puts it, "Soft skills for nursing assistants would include. empathy and compassion for others."

Telemetry is a system that monitors a patient's vital signs remotely. Registered nurses in the ICU use telemetry to provide physical and psychological support to patients. They connect patients to telemetry equipment, monitor vital signs, and interpret telemetry strips to report any abnormal rhythms or occurrences. They also use telemetry to monitor lab values, intake and output records, and assist physicians with bedside procedures.

Medication administration is the process of giving patients the right medicines at the right time. Registered nurses in the ICU use medication administration to coordinate care with doctors, manage patient complications, and educate patients and their families about home care. They document the administration of medication, vital signs, and any changes in a patient's status. They also manage IV therapy, medication maintenance, and wound care.