An Introduction to Critical Care Nursing
Critical care nursing (CCN) is a growing field. Unfortunately, the number of available nurses is not growing fast enough to meet the demand. The shortage of critical care nurses can be seen in the increased incentive packages and bonuses being offered for jobs in this field.
So, what is critical care nursing? First it is important to understand what a critically ill patient is. This is a patient with a current, or potential, life threatening health condition. These patients need 24 hour care from nurses trained in handling these life-threatening conditions. The patients need proper assessment and management to minimize the damage and improve their chances of survival. This is where critical care nurses come in.
Nursing has been around, in one form or another, since at least the 14th century. Critical care nursing is a much newer subset within the field. It wasn’t until the 1950s that intensive care units came into the picture. Before that, most critically ill patients did not survive. With the advent of the ICU, critical care nursing became necessary. Somebody had to staff these units. At that time training was done on the job in a "trial by fire" method. Nurses were thrown into the care of these patients without additional education or training.
As medicine continues to advance, more and more patients are surviving, what used to be, fatal traumatic injuries and medical conditions. Many other patients are also cared for at home or in alternative settings for longer periods. This all leads to more critically ill patients in the hospitals. This also increases the need for critical care nurses.
Critical care nurses work directly with their patients. They are responsible for the assessment and management of the critically ill patient. They work closely with doctors to ensure the best care is given to the patient and that care is continued on a consistent basis. They also advocate for the patient and their family. They help educate the patient and family about the condition and their available options. The CCN will also serve as a liaison for the patient, and their family, when dealing with other healthcare professionals. It is the job of the critical care nurse to ensure that the proper care is given initially, and that care continues until the patient no longer requires care.
Critical care nurses are working in ICUs, CCUs, pediatric and neonatal ICUs, emergency rooms, cardiac catheter labs, recovery rooms, telemetry units, and, more increasingly, in homes and alternative care settings. As more critically ill patients are cared for in the home and alternative settings, due to the advances in equipment and technology, the need for critical care nurses increases in these settings, as well. Critical care nurses are also among the most sought after traveling nurses. Hospitals and clinics must address the shortages in this area, and the law of supply and demand comes into play. Hospitals are paying large sign-on bonuses or relocation expenses for nurses to work in their facility. Traveling nurses are making good hourly rates or salaries because of the shortage.
