Clinical Care Nurse

If you are aiming to become a Clinical Care Nurse in the United States, you must remember that earning Registered Nurse credential is a must because the LPN/LVN are not well experienced in offering primary care services in an intensive care unit, where Critical Care Nurse usually works. Though, LPN/LVN with broader clinical experience can provide cares to critically ill bed side patients. The advance masters and specialty education can prepare you as a Clinical Care Nurse.

Clinical Care Nurse Job Duties

The primary duty of the Clinical Care Nurse is to provide primary cares to critically ill patients. They provide cares to patients with serious, acute and complex diseases and injuries. Their training also makes them proficient in adhering to therapies and medications, and handling the more advanced medical equipments.

In the varied facilities, the process of diagnosing and treating an ailment by the Clinical Care Nurse is more concentrated on evidence based practice and interpretations. These procedures can be carried out by assessment of the patient, diagnosis for the identification of the ailments, plan and provide specialized clinical cares, interpret interventions and evaluate the result of the cares. The nature of their care is more concentrated to a specific population such as adult, neonatal, pediatrics care or geriatrics.

Clinical Care Nurse Working Places

The Clinical care Nurses works in varied facilities needing specialized and critical cares such as intensive care and other high dependency units including, acute and non acute care centers, post operative units, adult intensive care units, hospitals, emergency rooms, pediatric intensive care units, home care agencies, neonatal intensive care units, health department, private and public health clinics, offices of the physician, independent practice and schools.

Education and Training Requirements

In order to become a Clinical Care Nurse, the credential of Registered Nurse, completing baccalaureate degree program in nursing and earning of BSN degree is essential. In addition, you must also pass NCLEX-RN exam for RN Licensure. As Clinical Care Nurses are advance practicing nurses, graduate level of studies is also required. After gaining RN licensure, you can pursue Master’s, Post-Master’s Certificate, Specialty Programs or doctorate level education.

The American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) is an advisory Board of Critical Care Nurses, and sets up and maintains the standards for CCRN. The board provides the certification for Critical Care Nurse for practicing in primary and specialized care field such as adult cares, neonatal, pediatrics care, cardiac medicine or practicing as a Clinical Care Specialist, Clinical Care Manger, Clinical Care Leader, nurse managers or leaders.  The wider clinical and working experience and further advance education can prepare you to work in higher level critical care nursing positions.

CCRN Salary

Critical Care Nurse Salary ranges from $65,000 to above $100,140 depending upon work experience, education, location, type & size of the facility and position. Higher the clinical working experience, education and advance training, better will be the salary. Working in the Metros also pays higher due to the higher cost of living in these areas.