Critical Care Nurses

Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.

$93,600
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+5% projected 2024โ€“2034
Bachelor's degree
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Critical care nurses provide specialized care for patients facing life-threatening conditions in intensive care units, cardiac care units, and emergency departments. They monitor patients with severe injuries, organ failure, heart attacks, or post-surgical complications, constantly assessing vital signs and watching for subtle changes that could signal danger. Their work involves operating complex medical equipment like ventilators and cardiac monitors, administering medications through IV lines, and performing emergency procedures when patients deteriorate rapidly.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(doctoral)Millikin University, IL
$259,426
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(doctoral)Central Connecticut State University, CT
$240,887
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(masters)Albany Medical College, NY
$238,461
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(masters)University of North Dakota, ND
$233,467
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(masters)University of New England, ME
$232,923
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(masters)Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, MN
$228,357
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(professional)Baylor College of Medicine, TX
$227,784
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(doctoral)Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, IL
$223,679
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(masters)Lourdes University, OH
$218,172
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(masters)Central Connecticut State University, CT
$218,022
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(masters)Loma Linda University, CA
$217,830
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(doctoral)Marshall University, WV
$213,738
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(masters)AdventHealth University, FL
$212,540
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(masters)Florida State University, FL
$209,572
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(masters)Newman University, KS
$208,440
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(doctoral)Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, LA
$208,016
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(doctoral)Mount Marty University, SD
$207,824
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(masters)Midwestern University-Downers Grove, IL
$205,504
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(masters)Midwestern University-Glendale, AZ
$205,504
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(doctoral)DePaul University, IL
$204,157
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(masters)Texas Wesleyan University, TX
$203,601
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(doctoral)Virginia Commonwealth University, VA
$203,129
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(masters)Wake Forest University, NC
$202,919
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(masters)Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc, TN
$200,989
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(masters)Saint Vincent College, PA
$199,496

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