How to Become a Critical Care Nurse in US ?
Learn how to become a Critical Care Nurse in US.
The steps to becoming a critical care nurse are listed below.
1.Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
2.Pass the National Council Licensure 3.Examination (NCLEX-RN)
4.Gain Critical Care Nursing Experience
5.Get Certified by the AACN
How does one become a Critical Care Nurse in US?
Critical care nurses (CCNs) provide nursing care to critically ill patients such as those with heart failure, strokes, respiratory failure, and trauma. They work in hospitals, emergency departments, trauma units, intensive care units (ICUs), emergency transport, and specialized critical care units. Patients in a critical care setting require constant attention and round-the-clock monitoring because their condition can change rapidly. CCNs are trained to perform intensive medical interventions in response to sudden and subtle changes in a patient’s condition.
Four Steps to Become a Critical Care Nurse (CCN)
Caring for severely ill or injured patients requires a combination of advanced nursing skills, extensive clinical experience, and expert knowledge of specialized medical equipment. In most states, a nurse must also demonstrate clinical expertise working with a specialized population group (adult, pediatric, neonatal) before they can practice as a CCN. This combination of attributes is what makes a Critical Care Nurse (CCN) so special.
If a nursing career with these characteristics appeals to you, then a career as a CCN could be an excellent choice. From the moment you become a CCN, you’ll be qualified to work in a variety of specialty areas such as: Cardiac Care, Neuro Care, Trauma and Transport, Emergency and Operating Room Nursing, and Pain Management.
The steps to becoming a critical care nurse are listed below.
1. Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
In order to become a critical care nurse, you must first be a registered nurse. Registered nurses are trained to provide safe, quality patient care in hospitals or other health care facilities. There are two undergraduate nursing programs that meet the requirements to become a registered nurse – an Associate’s Degree in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. However, the demands and complexity of critical care nursing require a prospective critical care nurse to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a four-year degree that introduces students to topics such as nursing theory, clinical practice, health promotion, disease prevention, and patient care. Additionally, the curriculum includes advanced classes that focus on topics such as: pharmacology, cardiology, anatomy, physiology and nursing research.
2. Pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)
After you have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, you must pass the NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse. The NCLEX-RN is a standardized exam that tests your nursing knowledge and ability to use critical thinking skills to make nursing judgements. It is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), and although each state has its own licensing board, it is accepted as valid in all states.
The NCLEX-RN exam is formulated under the framework, “Meeting Client Needs” and consists of four Clients Needs categories and eight subcategories. The four major categories are:
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Physiological Integrity
3. Gain Critical Care Nursing Experience
To make the transition from registered nurse to critical care nurse, aspiring CCNs must gain the advanced skills and knowledge needed to perform intensive medical interventions such as intubation, mechanical ventilation, and administering intravenous sedation. Acquiring these skills requires extensive clinical experience working with critically ill patients in a setting such as an intensive care unit (ICU).
The eligibility requirements for CCRN Certification reflect this need for extensive clinical experience. Before a registered nurse can be certified to provide direct care to acutely/critically ill patients, they must complete one of the following clinical practice hour requirement options:
TWO-YEAR OPTION * FIVE-YEAR OPTION *
In the previous two years preceding application, candidates must practice as an RN or APRN for 1,750 hours in direct care of acutely or critically ill patients. 875 of those accumulated hours must be in the most recent year. Candidates must practice as an RN or APRN for a minimum of five years with at least 2,000 hours in direct care of acutely or critically ill patients. 144 of those accumulated hours must be earned in the most recent year preceding application.
* American Association of Critical Care Nurses, CCRN Eligibility Requirements, October 2021
4. Get Certified by the AACN
After meeting the critical care experience requirements, a nurse with an unencumbered RN or APRN license may pursue certification as a CCRN through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). The AACN is a professional organization that serves critical care nurses and other healthcare professionals working in the field of critical care.
The AACN CCRN Certification Examination is an evidence-based exam designed to assess competency in clinical practice as well as theory and concepts of practice (knowledge). Passing the CCRN Certification exam demonstrates that a nurse is able to provide safe, quality care for critically ill patients in a variety of clinical situations. Once you become certified as a CCRN, you will be eligible to work as a critical care nurse. The specialized certification is valid for three years and must be periodically renewed.
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