Although the number of new registered nursing positions within intensive care units is not expected to grow as rapidly as other nursing specialties, the rate of staff turnover should continue to be high, providing ample opportunities for nurses who wish to specialize in critical care. Critical care nursing can be a stressful environment due to the severity of patients’ medical conditions and need for detailed attention. It also requires appropriate academic training through online nursing programs or campus programs in order to provide the high level of care necessary in an intensive care unit. However, the same factors that drive some professionals away from the intensive care unit are the same attractions that often draw other registered nurses to the practice of critical care.
What is Critical Care Nursing?
Graduates of online nursing program degrees who choose to specialize in critical care nursing treat patients who require intensive monitoring. Patients in critical care settings often require life support or organ support systems, such as mechanical ventilators and enteral nutrition. Critical care populations may include pediatrics, adults, or geriatrics. A registered nurse who specializes in critical care is often the health care professional that makes the decision to call the attending physician in emergency circumstances.
Required Education to Work in Critical Care Nursing
Although registered nurses may legally practice with a hospital diploma, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree in nursing, employers most often prefer nursing professionals to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing through an online nursing program or campus program. A bachelor’s degree education provides registered nurses with the communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills essential for the expanding role of nursing professionals in the health care industry.
In response to the increased emphasis on advanced education for registered nurses, over 600 RN to BSN programs came into existence by the year 2004. Many online nursing schools are now offering online nursing program degrees that have been designed specifically for working registered nurses. For example, the University of Phoenix now offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that can be completed entirely through distance education while a student continues working as a registered nurse. Kaplan University also has an online nursing program that allows students to concentrate in a preferred specialty while completing an online nursing degree.
Qualities Necessary for Success in Critical Care Nursing
In general, nurses need to be caring, sympathetic, responsible, and detail-oriented. Critical care nurses should also be emotionally stable in order to deal with job stresses, such as crises, emergencies, and human suffering. Internship and on-the-job training while completing an online nursing program is necessary to gain the practical work experience required to practice as a critical care nurse.
|
Westwood College is an institution of higher learning dedicated to providing quality, career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to launch, enhance, or change careers. The College offers broad access to education and serves a diverse, multicultural body of students in an environment that promotes pride, respect, and teamwork. The College's programs are designed to empower students to pursue their individual career goals.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our programs are current, in depth, and job oriented. A sound educational background, combined with "hands-on" experience, is required to meet the needs of an ever-changing and increasingly technical society.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At ITT Tech we are committed to helping men and women develop the skills and knowledge to pursue many opportunities in fields involving technology, criminal justice, and business.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saint Leo University Online is a leading provider of accredited online education to working adults and is a major global provider of education to the military. The online programs are designed to meet the growing needs of adult students and offer the best attributes of traditional classroom education in conjunction with today's most innovative computer technology.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Newbridge College provides high-quality, career specific training and an emphasis on practical skills required by today's employers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Once you decide to become part of the expanding, exciting, and in-demand world of healthcare, selecting the best college to meet your needs and goals is clearly one of your most important decisions. Medical Careers Institute, the School of Health Science of ECPI College of Technology, understands the aspirations of people who want to experience the rewards of caring and who want a direct route toward their career goal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Courses that you can take with you---the varied curriculums at HoHoKus Rets School of Business have been evaluated by the American Council on Education, allowing graduates to earn up to 55 college credits at more than 1500 colleges and universities across the nation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Find out why so many students in Florida and nationwide are choosing Southern Tech as their school of choice. Whether you need to upgrade your skills or change careers, we have the right program to fit your needs. Let us show you how to get the skills you need in a short amount of time so that you can get into your career today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bellevue University, a leader in adult learning, is your best choice. We accept ALL of the credit in your associate's degree - that's EVERY credit in your A.A.S, A.S., A.G.S., and A.A. degree! And, Bellevue University gives you accelerated bachelor's degree completion 100% ONLINE. So, you enroll with your associate's degree, and complete your bachelor's degree in as little as 12 months.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tags: health care, nurse, registered nurse, University of Phoenix
This entry was posted
on Monday, February 16th, 2009 at 11:47 am and is filed under Medical and Nursing.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.
