Critical Care Nurse
Among the various important field of specialization Critical Care is an important one after the completion of which a nurse may well be known as Critical Care Nurse (CCN). You need to be a Registered Nurse and then pursue intensive training and achieve considerable experience in the field of nursing in order to become a Critical Care Nurse.
The job profile is to look after critically ill patients especially those in the intensive care units (ICU). They may also be
employed to perform the critical bed side care of such patients.
Critical Care Nurse Requirements
LVN/LPN can opt to become Critical Care Nurse only after obtaining requisite certification provided by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). This renowned Advisory Board sets the guidelines to be followed by all CCN’S. Any RN can opt to become a CCN after achieving this certificate which is provided only to the eligible candidates.
This can only be given to those who have either done a diploma in Nursing or completed a 4-5 year Degree course. An extensive training program is given to eligible candidates to mould them into trained specialists to efficiently handle all critical care patients.
The basic requirement is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a recognized Nursing School. The training is often preferably given to those candidates who have a minimum of 1 year working experience in a medical setting and have sufficient practical knowledge.
Critical Care Nurse Salary
The salary of a CCN may vary according to the years of working experience, geographical area of work and training achieved. On an average the salary may vary in the range of $ 50,000-78,000 per annum.