Looking for a career that not only pays high but is both rewarding and in demand? Then, becoming an acute care nurse is the perfect career choice for you. Nurses not only provide care but hope for the patients and help them towards their recovery. In this blog, we will discuss how to become an acute care nurse, and the most commonly asked questions related to this career.
How to become an acute care nurse?
To become an acute care nurse, you have to apply for a nursing degree such as an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) or BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). After getting your nursing degree, you have to pass your NCLEX-RN exam to get your nursing license. Before becoming an acute care nurse, most nurses work as registered nurses to gain experience. This experience helps to develop clinical skills, patient assessment abilities, etc., that are required in acute care nursing.
Some of the certifications that you can pursue as an acute care nurse are as follows:
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (ACNP-BC)
- Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
- Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
- Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN)
What is acute care nursing, and what do they do?
Acute care nurses provide immediate and short-term care to patients with severe injuries, sudden illnesses, and urgent medical conditions. This type of care is given in healthcare settings like emergency departments, ICUs, acute hospitals, etc.
The duties of acute care nurses are as follows:
- Monitor and assess patients.
- Administer medications and treatments.
- Provide emergency interventions such as CPR.
What is the acute care nurse salary in the US?
The salary of acute care nurses in the US varies depending on various factors such as location, healthcare facility, certifications, and experience, but the average salary of acute care nurses in the US is $124,662 (source salary.com).
What is the difference between acute care nursing and critical care nursing?
Acute care nurses provide care to patients suffering from sudden illnesses or injuries that require immediate attention but are not always life-threatening. Critical care nurses take care of patients who are facing life-threatening conditions and require continuous monitoring.
What are the different types of acute care nursing jobs in the hospital?
Some of the common types of acute care nursing jobs that focus on different types of care and patients’ needs are as follows:
- Emergency Room Nurses: Providing immediate care to patients suffering from heart attacks, strokes, trauma, etc.
- Intensive Care Unit Nurse: Works in the ICU to take care of patients who are critically ill and need constant monitoring.
- Surgical Nurse: Works in an operating room assisting during surgeries. They are also known as peripatetic nurses.
- Cardiac Nurses: They usually work in coronary care units and deal with heart patients.
- Trauma Nurse: Nurses who provide care to patients with traumatic injuries such as fracture, acute wounds, etc.
- Neonatal Intensive Care: Nurses who take care of critically ill newborn babies.
- PACU Nurses: Nurses who take care of patients who are recovering from anesthesia after surgery.
- Burn Nurse: Nurses who provide care to patients with severe burns.
What are the pros and cons of working as an acute nurse?
Becoming an acute care nurse is a rewarding career with lots of benefits, but it has its challenges too. The pros and cons of becoming a acute care nurse are as follows:
Pros:
- Acute care nurses can develop clinical skills.
- There is high job satisfaction because they are saving the lives of many patients by providing the best care.
- There is high demand for acute care nursing jobs. Nursing jobs have higher pay due to their increasing demand in the healthcare industry.
- Acute care nurses get the chance to work with other healthcare professionals and gain experience.
Cons:
Acute care nursing or critical care nurse is a demanding job with many challenges, such as:
- Physical and mental stress.
- Long hours and unpredictable schedules.
- Risk of burnout.
- Exposure to illness and diseases.
What are the key skills for acute care nurses to succeed in acute care nursing?
The important skills that acute care nurses need to succeed in the acute care nursing field are as follows:
- Quick decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Effective and strong communication skills.
- Emotional resilience.
- Advanced clinical skills to provide effective patient care.
Conclusion
Becoming an acute care nurse practitioner means making a real difference in the world of the healthcare industry. Acute care nursing provides opportunities such as high pay, personal and professional growth, gaining experience, and much more, but it comes with its challenges such as burnout, physical and mental stress, etc. With the right education, experience, and certification such as CCRN, CEN, etc., you will thrive in a life-changing role as an acute nurse. But if you want to take your career to the next level and want to explore new cities while doing what you love, then become a travel acute care nurse with SKillGigs. SkillGigs will provide you with an opportunity to work in top healthcare facilities as a travel acute nurse with high pay. Download our app now and find the high-paying jobs that you want!
