Create an UpToDate account and take the app with you to clinical!
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses, also called critical care nurses, take care of patients who are critically ill or facing potentially life-threatening challenges. These patients are often physically unstable, unconscious, or have extremely unhealthy vital signs. Intensive care unit nurses work in adult, pediatric, and neonatal Intensive Care Units (ICUs), Critical Care Unites (CCUs), and emergency rooms (ERs). Some intensive care unit nurses work in units that care for patients with specific medical problems, such as burn centers.
It is important to note that intensive care unit nurses work with patients who are likely to die. Therefore, it is recommended that ICU and critical care nurses have a strong and communicative support system, such as a therapist, close family, or community organization.
Educate and support patient’s families
The America Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) sets ICU standards of care that are included in hospital’s policies and procedures. Generally accepted standards of practice include:
*Information from NursingJobs.com
Members of the team may also include one or more of these caregivers: