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Registered nurse in the icu job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected registered nurse in the icu job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 195,400 new jobs for registered nurse in the icus are projected over the next decade.
Registered nurse in the icu salaries have increased 10% for registered nurse in the icus in the last 5 years.
There are over 1,163,201 registered nurse in the icus currently employed in the United States.
There are 631,825 active registered nurse in the icu job openings in the US.
The average registered nurse in the icu salary is $92,881.
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,163,201 | 0.35% |
| 2020 | 1,139,907 | 0.34% |
| 2019 | 1,138,296 | 0.34% |
| 2018 | 1,126,723 | 0.34% |
| 2017 | 1,109,502 | 0.34% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $92,881 | $44.65 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $90,378 | $43.45 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $88,442 | $42.52 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $86,309 | $41.49 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $84,398 | $40.58 | +1.4% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 623,657 | 647 | 104% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 1,369 | 102% |
| 3 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 875 | 101% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 6,597 | 96% |
| 5 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 1,241 | 93% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 890 | 93% |
| 7 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 668 | 88% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 654 | 88% |
| 9 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 5,764 | 86% |
| 10 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 581 | 84% |
| 11 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 17,520 | 83% |
| 12 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 2,440 | 78% |
| 13 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 816 | 78% |
| 14 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 2,177 | 75% |
| 15 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 7,324 | 70% |
| 16 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 1,467 | 70% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 2,485 | 69% |
| 18 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 5,033 | 68% |
| 19 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 3,817 | 68% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 387 | 67% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo | 38 | 31% | $86,443 |
| 2 | Saint Louis | 62 | 20% | $90,060 |
| 3 | Urban Honolulu | 49 | 14% | $115,497 |
| 4 | Plano | 39 | 14% | $90,419 |
| 5 | Detroit | 90 | 13% | $104,174 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 45 | 10% | $87,571 |
| 7 | Baltimore | 54 | 9% | $105,642 |
| 8 | Tucson | 46 | 9% | $95,386 |
| 9 | Boston | 51 | 8% | $108,911 |
| 10 | San Antonio | 76 | 5% | $91,675 |
| 11 | Austin | 52 | 5% | $91,435 |
| 12 | Dallas | 56 | 4% | $90,503 |
| 13 | San Diego | 39 | 3% | $115,731 |
| 14 | Houston | 50 | 2% | $91,227 |
| 15 | Philadelphia | 39 | 2% | $102,583 |
| 16 | Phoenix | 33 | 2% | $95,471 |
| 17 | New York | 72 | 1% | $115,738 |
| 18 | Los Angeles | 49 | 1% | $116,614 |
| 19 | Chicago | 37 | 1% | $99,366 |
California State University - Chico
Meharry Medical College
Molloy College
University of St. Francis
New York University
Francis Marion University
University of Southern Maine
California State University - Dominguez Hills
Huertas College
Prairie View A & M University
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Mars Hill University
New York University

Elmhurst University

Oakland University

Hope College
Dr. Cynthia Aurentz DNP, MSN, RN, CNE: Nursing is a dynamic field and there are many options. You can work in an Emergency Room, pediatrics, oncology, or even as a vascular access specialist (and many others). One of the great things about Nursing is that if you find you don't like a particular specialty, making a change is easy. Having your RN license qualifies you to work anywhere that an RN license is required so it may simply be a matter of transferring to a different area. Nurses are lifelong learners and there is much to learn! It is beneficial to have a solid foundation in basic medical-surgical concepts. Nursing needs great med-surg nurses and employers are looking for those who are willing to provide excellent direct patient care at the bedside. I also recommend that you learn about Nurse advocacy and become involved. As soon as you graduate, join your State and National Nurse Associations so that you have a voice in the issues that impact Nursing.
Rich Burton DNP, RN, CMSRN: Most hospitals have set rates for nurses but if you are looking to maximize your salary, I would say location location location. Certain areas of the country pay more than others, be willing to move to maximize your earning potential. Hospitals might also pay more for certifications or a bachelor’s degree as well.
Meharry Medical College
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
Olugbemiga Ogunkua M.D., Ph.D.: 2. Ability to learn about new inventions. Computer has changed the field tremendously and knowledge comes at a fast and furry pace so you need to keep up with new knowledge and be able to discriminate about what is useful and relevant from what is not useful though may be novella. Mountains of new information can easily lead to confusion. Learn to know the rules first, before you embark with the new fag in town.
Molloy College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
Normadeane Armstrong PhD, RN, ANP-BC: Specialize, Further Education, Negotiate, Explore Alternative Settings, Stay Updated.
University of St. Francis
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
Dr. Maria Martinez DNP RN: Bedside clinical experience is important, getting certifications, soft skills to enhance your EI quotient, develop your leadership skills, going back for your MSN.
New York University
Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
Dr. Kelseanne Breder PhD, PMHNP, GERO-BC: Obtain certifications through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC), specialize in underserved populations, know your value.
Francis Marion University
Communication Disorders Sciences And Services
Deborah Hopla DNP, APRN-BC, FAANP, FAAN: The general advice I would give to a nursing graduate student as they begin their career in nursing is to understand every patient you treat is someone’s Mom, Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Brother, Sister, Child. Treat patients like they are your family member. Always keep up with the latest evidence and treatment options.
University of Southern Maine
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
Dr. Debra Gillespie PhD, RN, CNE: ask questions and don't put too much pressure upon yourself. Be eager to learn new things, and stay on top of new initiatives in nursing and healthcare. Become a lifelong learner.
California State University - Dominguez Hills
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
Cathy Andrade DNP, MSN, RN: It seems we are in a phase in healthcare where the use of technology is growing at a rapid pace. Having an open mind to accept and continue to build skills using new technologies will continue to be important factors for the future of nursing practice.
Cathy Andrade DNP, MSN, RN: My advice to Registered Nurses entering the workforce is to be open to opportunities that may not be their first choice. This can mean a nursing position in a department or a shift they may not have considered but may lead to future opportunities for a more desirable shift, or an opportunity in their preferred specialty.
Cathy Andrade DNP, MSN, RN: Nurses who have a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree often find there are more opportunities for employment for positions with higher salaries. An example of this is the Magnet designation for hospitals, which requires that at least 80% of their nursing positions be filled by BSN prepared RNs. These positions generally offer higher salaries than positions in sub-acute care settings and in home health.
Huertas College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
Folake Adelakun DNP, MBA, HCA, MSN, BSN, RN, PHN,CNE: People love nursing because it has been rated the most trusted profession in the United States continually. The reward of appreciation for caring for others. Good pay comparable to some professions. Numerous specialties to choose from. You will always have a job. Lifelong learning. Some dislike nursing because it demands a lot physically, emotionally, and mentally. Stress and job burnout. Work overload. Not enough renumeration. Constant change. Not being appreciated sometimes.
Allyssa Harris RN, PhD, WHNP-BC: 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. Additionally, nurses often supervise other unlicensed health care team members including licensed vocational nurses, patient care technicians (PCTs) and nursing students.
Allyssa Harris RN, PhD, WHNP-BC: The health care system is experiencing a shortage of health care providers including nurses. Between 2020 and 2030 the need for RNs is expected to grow by 9% yearly, making the profession on of the fastest growing in the health care sector. Nurses and the care they provide will always be in demand, whether you are employed in a hospital environment or other health care setting. Furthermore, the skills that you learn as a nurse are transferrable. Nurses not only work in hospitals, but they also work in variety of settings such as health educators in business, health insurance case managers, they work in STEM industries as computer software developers, in law offices, in the travel industries on cruise lines, school settings and are business owners.
Allyssa Harris RN, PhD, WHNP-BC: I can't speak for everyone but what I like about being a nurse is the ability to connect one on one with the patient and their family. Patients allow us the privilege of providing care and comfort during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. It is the connection that we share that is the most rewarding. I believe that is this care and education that provides patients with the opportunity to make knowledgeable decisions about their health and well-being. What is most challenging about nursing is the increasing complexity of the patient care provide. Often patients enter the health care system later, having delayed care variety or reasons including lack of access, socio-economic challenges, unawareness, etc. This often increases the complexity of the care needed and nurses are required to have a broad knowledge of many things. I wouldn't say that they dislike the nursing profession, but the work is challenging.
Alison Alaimo MSN, RN: Nursing is a good profession to enter for several reasons. It is a very demanding, yet very fulfilling career. Nurses get to have a direct impact on patient health outcomes. The demand for nurses is exceedingly high now. Our students are securing employment one or even two semesters before they graduate from the nursing program. Nursing is also a career path which is available everywhere so no matter where you go, you can have a job in nursing. There are diverse career opportunities in nursing, so jobs are available no matter a person's interests. Working as a nurse offers a lot of flexibility so nurses can work nights, full-time, part-time, or per diem. The high demand for nurses is driving competitive compensation and benefits packages. Many hospitals will assist students in paying off student loans in return for a work agreement. Finally, there is always room for professional growth. Continuing education opportunities abound and there is always the option to pursue an advanced degree or other specialized training.
Alison Alaimo MSN, RN: Nurses spend their days or nights assisting clients and their loved ones on their healthcare journeys. They possess a variety of tools and knowledge in which to do this. They assess and monitor patients, which is often a very dynamic process. They are trained to provide emergency response treatment. They administer medications and perform various aspects of patient care. They provide education to patients and loved ones and advocate for patients' rights and needs. Nurses maintained detailed documentation on all information pertaining to patients. They also work closely as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. Finally, they also maintain their own professional development as changes in healthcare are frequent and/or they are interested in pursuing advanced degrees or certifications. Nurses work tirelessly to promote positive patient outcomes
Alison Alaimo MSN, RN: I think the biggest thing people like about nursing is the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others which is highly rewarding. Job stability in the field as well as variety and flexibility are also viewed as favorable. Nurses can also have a high degree of autonomy in their practice allowing them to make clinical decisions. Finally, there are always opportunities for leadership advancement and a large variety of advanced education that can be obtained in the field. Some of the things people dislike about being a nurse are the high workloads and emotional stress that often come with the job. There is also often a lack of recognition and support for nurses. The tasks of nursing can also be physically demanding, and nurses must be careful not to accidentally injury themselves on the job. Administrative burdens such as documenting can reduce the amount of time a nurse can spend on direct patient care and may cause frustration for some nurses. Overall though, I think the positive aspects of being a nurse far outweigh the negative ones.
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
Dr. Theresa Buxton PhD, RN, CNE: Obtaining a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nursing is the first step in advancing your salary potential if you decide on a career path of advanced practice or further graduate education.
Dr. Theresa Buxton PhD, RN, CNE: Some of the most important skills to hone over the next three years is communication, time management, and self-care.
Communication is important because nursing is a team sport. If you need help, ask early. If you see a change in your patient that worries you, ask someone to weigh in. Communicate clearly with other nursing colleagues.
Time management is an important skill to learn but takes practice. Time management is a combination of knowing how long tasks should take and what happens when priorities shift.
Self-care is needed to learn to balance your time away from work with time on the job to keep you whole in mind, body, and spirit.
Dr. Theresa Buxton PhD, RN, CNE: Nursing students who graduate from their program and then pass their NCLEX licensing exam are beginning their professional career. It takes time to gain experience. After you’re employed make connections with the nursing staff who work with you. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions or double check your math if you are giving a medication different than what’s ordered or available.
Dr. Karen Macey-Stewart DNP, A-GNP-C, PMGT-BC: One of the best pieces of advice I can offer is to seize every opportunity that comes your way. Get involved in committee work, volunteer your time, and mentor those who are following in your footsteps. Don't limit your education to just a BSN or MSN degree; strive to obtain the highest degree possible. Lastly, join nursing organizations that align with your passions, and stay up-to-date with policy changes both locally and on a federal level. Remember, every policy impacts healthcare and nursing in many ways. Don't be afraid; we are the most trusted profession for a reason!
Dr. Karen Macey-Stewart DNP, A-GNP-C, PMGT-BC: As a new graduate student, it can be overwhelming to start your professional career. My first piece of advice is to be kind to yourself. It takes time to master all the clinical skills and judgment you learned in school. Secondly, give yourself some grace when facing challenges in understanding why a client or healthcare team member is difficult. Remember that you will be caring for people during the most vulnerable times of their lives. Finally, prioritize self-care by taking the time to recharge. Providing the best care for your clients is essential, and you shouldn't feel guilty about it. I always tell the students," Always remember to put your oxygen mask on first before helping others."
Dr. Karen Macey-Stewart DNP, A-GNP-C, PMGT-BC: In today's world, nurses must be well-versed in technology as we have seen a rise in telehealth due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The utilization of technology will also play a crucial role in effective communication that is easy to understand, succinct, and culturally appropriate when providing healthcare services and education. However, we must remember that we cannot rely solely on technology but remain focused on the human side of caring as nurses. Other pertinent skills that will become important would be empathy, conflict resolution, and adaptability in healthcare, as it is constantly changing. Having these skills can save a client's life.
Natalie Heywood DNP, RN, CNE: I encourage new graduate nurses to embrace their first role and lean into the opportunity they have to ask questions, ask for more time on certain skills or patients, and make connections with their RN colleagues to develop mentorship relationships. I also recommend that new graduate nurses create a community both within their clinical setting with fellow new grads, experienced nurses/mentors, and other healthcare team members, as well as at home create that same community to support them. The first few years of a new nurses career lays the foundation for the rest of their career, so it's important to give yourself grace as you learn & build your confidence. A final piece of advice is to prioritize your mental health and well-being. You can't take care of others if you neglect yourself so find ways to balance your needs with the demands of your job, family and other responsibilities. This will be so important throughout your entire career, not just at the beginning.
Natalie Heywood DNP, RN, CNE: When you are first starting as a nurse, it will be important to find a role that fits best for you. This could be in terms of the facility, unit, leadership, etc. To increase your salary potential as a nurse, you can focus on earning specialty certification for your area of specialization. An example of this would be an emergency room nurse earning their Certified Emergency Nurse (CNE) or an ICU nurse earning their Critical Care Certified Nurse (CCRN). In order to take these specialty exams, you usually need 2+ years of bedside practice. I recommend taking those first two years of your career to focus on gaining confidence in the RN role. Additionally, nurses can also look at furthering their education, through earning a graduate degree in nursing, which opens up opportunities including education and leadership roles. Many MSN-prepared nurses also work bedside.
Natalie Heywood DNP, RN, CNE: I think one of the most important and prevalent skills that will be prevalent in the next 3-5 years in nursing is the ability to communicate with patients in a therapeutic manner that supports trust and mutual respect. Additionally, a skill that will be vital to current and future nurses is the ability to provide individualized care. Our patient populations are increasingly complex and unique, and it will be important for health providers to care for all individuals based on their needs and where they are at the moment. Lastly, as we see the increase of technology and AI use in healthcare, we need to be technology proficient and confident, as well as flexible in the use of these tools to improve patient care.
Mars Hill University
Nursing Department
Clare Chambers: Skills that typically stand out on RN resumes include special certifications such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Acute/Critical Care Nursing (CCRN). Managers also tend to pay attention to applicants who have volunteer experience or are members of nursing organizations within their educational programs or nationally. Other useful skills include any previous electronic medical record experience or working at the bedside previously as a certified nurse assistant if the nurse is newly licensed.
Clare Chambers: Soft skills are a critical part of any healthcare profession. The key skills for nurses specifically are leadership, interdisciplinary teamwork, intrinsic motivation, effective communication, excellent work ethic, and having a positive attitude. Emotional intelligence and empathy are also gaining more recognition as critical to long-term career success and effective patient care.
Clare Chambers: Technical skills are critical for safe and effective nursing care. Some essential skills include the ability to safely start an IV, give oral medications, administer subcutaneous and intramuscular injections, take vital signs, do a thorough head-to-toe assessment, chart effectively, and utilize emergency safety equipment. Hard skills, in addition to foundational skills required for every nursing job, are going to be tailored to the specific specialty chosen by each nurse and that area of practice.
Clare Chambers: There is a national nursing shortage. This has increased due to older nurses reaching retirement age along with the ongoing pandemic. Certain specialty certifications may increase a nurse's salary. Typically salaries are driven by years of experience, the geographical location, and any specific salary structures or scales that are implemented by the hospital system itself. Nurses who are newly hired are often able to secure sign-on bonuses, moving stipends, and increased hourly pay if they have previous experience in the specialty area in which they are applying. I would encourage any new nurses to reach out to experienced nurses in their community and do some research on what base pay rate they should expect, and meet with human resources to discuss benefits, especially continuing education, before signing any contracts.
Beth Latimer: Stand-out skills on RN resumes include exposure and competence in public health framed nursing competencies. These include excellence in contextual, patient-centered, clinical care with health promotion, risk reduction expertise. Interprofessional educational experiences are sought after and highly regarded as working with high-performing interprofessional teams needed to plan, deliver, and improve outcomes with patient center care at the forefront is not only beneficial to patients and families but will improve patient outcomes in the long run. Expertise in navigating the health records system and documenting appropriately certainly helps the RN spend more time at the bedside rather than spending lots of time figuring out the electronic health record. At NYU Meyers, we implemented and are utilizing Epic as the electronic health record. Epic is widely utilized in the majority of health systems, and this certainly gives our patients an upper hand since they are continuously utilizing this in simulation. The students are then able to navigate this exact system in the clinical setting and are able to spend less time looking for the right page to document in since they are already familiar with this system.

Elmhurst University
Department of Nursing and Health Sciences
Diane Salvador Ph.D.: I believe organizations are looking for nurses who can articulate in their cover letter what made their education experience unique - specific nursing electives, possible travel abroad that would translate into cultural competence or portfolios that list specific course accomplishments if available.
Diane Salvador Ph.D.: The most important skill for new nursing graduates is critical thinking. You will be put into varying roles and assume different responsibilities. You must critically think and evaluate situations you find yourself in and make wise nursing decisions. Another important skill that we emphasize in education is communication - this is key to safe, quality care.
Diane Salvador Ph.D.: New nurses should be prepared to demonstrate proficiency in basic nursing care and procedures. It is important to realize that each hospital has its own policy and procedure to follow, so taking advantage of your nurse preceptor and orientation program will ensure you are familiar with these basic procedures.

Kristen Munyan: I don't know that the nursing profession is at a point where we can predict the impact of COVID-19 on our job market yet. Right now we are still in extraordinarily high-demand, and hospitals continue to see COVID-19 related admissions that require high levels of nursing care. There have been discussions about how the pandemic will impact interest in the profession going forward, the retirement plans of existing nurses and graduate school enrollments. This is all still developing. Nursing is still responding to the immediate demands of the pandemic.
In my opinion, I think that the pandemic has reinforced the positive image of nurses on a national stage. In 2020, hospital-based nurses carried the burden of surging COVID-19 admissions, created care innovations to improve patient outcomes and worked tirelessly to save lives. In 2021, community-based nurses are leading us out of this dark time by organizing and running vaccine clinics and educating the public. I believe we will continue to see a high demand for nursing professionals in all-settings, and in nurses going back for advanced degrees that allow them advanced practice roles.

Hope College
Education Department
Sara Hoeve Ph.D.: Most K-12 salary scales depend on successful teacher evaluations, years of experience and continuing education, such as a Master's Degree in Education or in a specific content area. Teachers can also increase their earnings by accepting additional responsibilities like coaching a sports team, directing a play, proctoring a state test or hosting a student teacher. Although teachers are expected to complete some tasks during the summer, many staff members take on a second job during the months when school is not in session.