How to Become an ICU Nurse

To become an ICU nurse takes dedication and the ability to make life and death decisions in a split-second. You must stay calm under pressure and be able to work long, intense hours on a regular basis. While this career is certainly not for everyone, those with a special aptitude for this field can really enjoy the benefits of this fast-paced position.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Nursing Degree

1. Complete the degree requirements for a RN or BSN at an accredited academic institution. If you are thinking about an online degree or distance-learning program, it is critical that you verify the program's accreditation status before you start your classes.
2. Pass the licensing exam in your state after you've finished the required coursework. Contact your state board of nursing for any additional requirements.
3. Listen attentively during rounds. The ICU nurse will have extensive interaction with doctors as they perform daily rounds and will be inundated with patient care information. When in doubt, ask a resident for help in clarifying a doctor's orders.
4. Get used to dealing with uncertainty. When a new patient arrives in the ICU, her condition is often bad and getting worse. Even if one problem is obvious, there may be several more hidden complications making the condition even worse. Never expect that you have all the information you need at hand.
5. Study prescription drugs. Because patients in ICU are often in excruciating pain and are susceptible to infections of various kinds, they may be given several different drugs at once. You need to know how each medication works and be aware of any potentially dangerous interactions.
6. Learn the workings of ICU machines. A nurse working in the ICU must be familiar with some of the most advanced medical technology available today, including EKG machines, defibrillators and ventilators.
7. Apply for a full-time ICU nurse position with the hospital at which you made your rounds. Many times, a hospital is more likely to promote a recent graduate who has worked on the grounds before.
8. Stay up-to-date on the latest developments in ICU technology by joining the Society of Trauma Nurses (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• If you're not sure if you really want to become an ICU nurse, you don't have to decide right away. Steps one and two apply to all nurses, no matter what specialization they decide to follow.
• Learn to make quick decisions based on available facts. A patient admitted to ICU is often deteriorating quickly and there is very little little time to think. A good ICU nurse must become accustomed to working on instinct and have good decision-making and delegating skills.

Who Can Help:

• Earn an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's Degree from the University of Phoenix
• University of Phoenix, degree Programs to Fit Your Life.