Acute care nurses are the unsung heroes in the healthcare world. With their quick thinking and expert skills, they save the lives of many patients. From the ER to the ICU, they provide effective patient care. If you are a new grad nurse who wants to step into acute care nursing, then you are in the right place. This blog is a complete guide on what acute care nursing is and what the role of acute care nurses is. if you are already an acute care nurse but want to level up your career as a travel nurse then we are here to guide you! So, let’s dig in.
What is acute care?
Acute care is short-term medical care provided to patients suffering from life-threatening conditions such as severe injuries, surgeries, or some other serious condition that requires immediate attention. The primary goal of acute care is to stabilize the patient’s condition, and once the patient is stabilized, they are transferred to less intensive care settings.
Acute care nursing and examples
Acute care nurses provide immediate treatment to patients who are in critical condition to stabilize their conditions. Some of the acute care nursing examples are:
- Emergency room (ER) nurses: These acute care nurses provide care to patients with several conditions from trauma to acute illness.
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses: Acute care nurses working in an ICU nurse take care of patients who are recovering from surgeries or are critically ill.
- Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) nurses: PACU nurses take care of patients who are recovering from anesthesia after surgery.
- Trauma nursing: trauma nurses take care of patients who are suffering from traumatic injuries.
- Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) nursing: CCU nurses take care of patients who have serious heart conditions such as heart failure.
- Burn care nursing: these acute care nurses work in burn units taking care of patients who have severe burn injuries.
How to become an acute care nurse?
If you are thinking of becoming an acute care nurse, then it has the following educational requirements:
- Educational requirements
- Getting a nursing degree.
- Passing NCLEX-RN exam.
- Getting a nursing license.
- Gain clinical experience in acute care nursing.
Acute care nursing certifications:
Some of the acute care nursing certifications are:
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Certification
- Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
- Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
- Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
What are the roles and responsibilities of acute care nurses?
The different roles and responsibilities of acute care nurses are as follows:
- Patient assessment and monitoring.
- Acute care nurses also Administer medications and treatments to the patients.
- Providing wound care.
- Nurses in acute care units also provide emergency care.
- Managing patient discharge is also one of the responsibilities of acute care nurses.
- Acute care nurses also assist doctors with different procedures.
Skills Required for Acute Care Nurses
- Acute care nurses work in high-stress environments therefore critical thinking and decision-making are essential skills.
- They also require strong skills in assessing the patient’s vital signs and observing the patient’s condition.
- Acute care nursing requires advanced clinical skills such as administering medications. Managing IVs, monitoring equipment, etc.
- Acute care nurses should also have emergency response skills and the ability to perform CPR etc.
- Nurses working in acute care units should also have knowledge of pharmacology.
- Ability to manage stress and knowledge of ethical issues.
- One of the other most important skills for acute care nurses is multitasking and time management.
Pros and cons of becoming an acute care nurse
Working as an acute care nurse can be very rewarding. Some of the pros of acute care nurses are:
Pros:
- High demand and job security
- Diverse skill development such as critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Working in a dynamic environment and dealing with patients suffering from different medical conditions hence helping acute care nurses build up their skills.
- Career advancement.
- Working and collaborating with different healthcare team members fostering a sense of teamwork.
Cons:
- Acute care nurses work in high-pressure environments which can cause emotional and physical stress.
- Irregular hours are another disadvantage for acute care nurses as they can work on weekends, holidays, and long nights.
- Risk of burnout.
- Acute care nursing is also physically demanding.
What are acute care examples?
Some examples of acute care are care accidents, severe injuries, emergency surgeries, serious illnesses, etc.
How long can a patient stay in acute care?
Patients stay for longer or shorter periods depending on their condition, but the average is 20 to 30 days.
Conclusion
Acute care nurses are healthcare heroes who work hard to stabilize patients’ conditions. If you are an acute nurse or want to become a travel acute nurse, you need to have the right education, experience and certifications to open endless opportunities in this field. Being an acute care nurse is a rewarding career, but it has its own pros and cons. You will work in high-pressure environments that are physically and mentally exhausting. But with the right education and training, you can thrive in this career. If you are an acute nurse who is bored with their daily routine and wants something exciting, then join SkillGigs now! Download SkillGigs app and become part of our travel nursing world.
