Elizabeth Morrill, MHS, BSN, RN 

Nurse Types / Crisis Nurse

A crisis nurse responds to urgent staffing needs during natural disasters, pandemics, and other events that stress a local healthcare system. 

Most crisis nurse positions are short-term and develop out of a sudden need for more skilled healthcare providers. For example, crisis nurses were called to New York City at the height of COVID-19 and to New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.

Do you have what it takes to become a crisis nurse? This article will explore everything you need to know, including:

• What is a crisis nurse?
• What do crisis nurses do?
• Where do crisis nurses work?
• What are closely related fields?
• How do you become a crisis nurse in 3 steps?
• What are additional requirements of crisis nurses? 
• What are the salary and career outlooks for crisis nurses? 

What is a crisis nurse?

Crisis nurses are a type of travel nurse who is willing to respond immediately to an emergency healthcare event. 

Crisis nursing can pay very well, but these positions often involve long hours, limited time off, and scarce resources. Crisis nurses receive very little on-the-job training, so this type of nursing is generally reserved for experienced nurses.

Qualities of a successful crisis nurse

Crisis nursing can be a challenge. To succeed, you must be:

• Willing and able to respond immediately to a crisis event
• Ready to work long hours with limited time off
• Highly skilled in emergency or critical care nursing
• Able to use your nursing knowledge to safely improvise when resources are limited
• Comfortable working independently and without a formal orientation
• Ready with a strong self-care plan to deal with the physical and emotional rigors of crisis work

What do crisis nurses do?

Crisis nurse contracts are generally more short-term than the average travel nurse position. A crisis nurse may work for as little as one week to cover a nursing strike at a hospital in California, up to a full thirteen weeks to provide back-up for an unexpected COVID surge in Houston. 

Learn more about other types of nursing, including career outlook and average salary.

A day in the life of a crisis nurse

A crisis nurse must have the skills and experience to immediately provide advanced nursing care without a typical onboarding or orientation. At times, orientation can be as short as a few hours on the first day of work.

Crisis nurses should also be prepared for a higher patient ratio than usual. Additionally, the local emergency situation often means that on-site staff are extremely stressed and overburdened, which may create an even more challenging work environment. 

Crisis nurses should be prepared to learn the charting and medication administration systems in each new setting.

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Common conditions treated by crisis nurses

Crisis nurses should be prepared to float wherever the need is greatest. Within a single crisis assignment, they may:

• Float to the ER, the CVICU, labor and delivery, and progressive care within the span of a few weeks
• Deal exclusively with a particular infectious disease (like COVID-19)
• Provide care for trauma-related injuries after a natural disaster
• Have to figure out how to provide safe care with limited resources due to power outages, lack of supplies, or an influx of patients 

Where do crisis nurses work?

Crisis nurses work wherever the need arises. They may be asked to work in a busy urban hospital after a local outbreak or in a quiet rural healthcare system overwhelmed after a natural disaster.

What are closely related fields?

Crisis nurses may take on more routine travel nurse assignments between crisis contracts. Local travel nursing provides the opportunity to maintain a home base while enjoying the benefits of travel nursing.

Nurses who enjoy the high-adrenaline life of crisis nursing may also pursue:

• Emergency nursing
• Flight nursing
• Critical care nursing
• Neuro ICU nursing
• OR nursing

How do you become a crisis nurse in 3 steps?

There are three main steps to becoming a crisis nurse:

• Obtain your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Gain experience in critical care nursing
• Get certified in core critical nursing skills

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

Earn a BSN degree 

To become a crisis nurse, you must first obtain your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). If you already have a bachelors in a related field, an accelerated BSN program can help you get your BSN in as little as 16 months.

It’s possible to become a Registered Nurse with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). However, most employers are looking for BSN-prepared nurses.

A BSN shows employers that you have advanced training in nursing skills and critical thinking. If you have an ADN, there are RN-to-BSN programs to help you quickly bridge the gap.

Pass the NCLEX exam

The next step to becoming an RN is passing the NCLEX exam. This national exam ensures that nurses have the minimum knowledge necessary to practice safely. Once you pass the NCLEX, you can apply for a nursing license in the state where you want to work.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Helpful skills and experience

If you want to become a crisis nurse, it’s essential to have previous experience working in critical care nursing, including in the ICU or emergency department.

 Sub-specialties in critical care are also in high demand, including:

• Neuro ICU
• Surgical nursing
• Labor and delivery
• Pediatric intensive care
• Neonatal intensive care nursing
• Cardiovascular intensive care nursing

At a minimum, crisis nurses should have at least two years of prior experience before applying to crisis nurse positions. 

Changing specialty to a crisis nurse 

If you want to change your specialty to crisis nursing, start by ensuring you have several years of experience in a highly desired field.

Other ways to increase your odds of finding a crisis nursing position include:

• Working as a travel nurse for several contracts to gain experience working in new environments
• Working towards extra certifications to show your expertise
• Making sure you have a compact nursing license and all required CEUs for the states where you wish to work

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Step 3 – Obtain certifications

Crisis nurse positions can be competitive due to the potential for very high pay. Maintaining certifications and credentials in different fields can help you stand out and land a lucrative contract.

The most common certifications for travel nurses include:

• Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)
• Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN)
• Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)

Each of these positions requires several years of experience with a particular population. 

To obtain the CPN certification, you must:

• Pass a national exam
• Demonstrate 1,800 hours of pediatric experience in the last 24 months or 
• Have at least five years of experience working as a pediatric Registered Nurse and 3,000 hours in pediatric nursing within the last five years, with a minimum of 1000 hours within the past 24 months 

The Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) national certification is offered by The American Association of Critical Care Nurses (ANCC) and includes three sub-specialties:

• Adult
• Pediatrics
• Neonatal

For each subspeciality, you must:

• Have 1,750 practice hours as an RN in direct care of acutely/critically ill pediatric patients during the previous two years, with 875 of those hours taking place in the year preceding application or
• Five years of experience as an RN with a minimum of 2,000 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill pediatric patients, with 144 of those hours accrued in the year preceding application

The Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) exam is offered by the Board of Certification of Emergency Nursing. To sit for this exam, you need two years of relevant experience.

It’s also important to stay up to date on all certifications and to keep these certifications in an easy-to-access virtual document that can be shared quickly with travel nurse companies.

What are additional requirements of crisis nurses? 

Crisis nurses should be prepared to start a new position on very short notice – sometimes as short as a few days. Nurses with families or pets requiring care need to have a plan in place that can be implemented at a moment’s notice.

Due to the unpredictable nature of crisis nursing, this type of nurse should be comfortable with uncertainty. They may not have the next assignment lined up after finishing a contract, so they need a good savings plan to cover “off” weeks. 

In addition, crisis nurses need to be vigilant about staying up-to-date on routine employment screens and renewals, like:

• Physicals
• N-95 fit testing
• Drug screens
• ACLS, BLS, and PALS recertification
• Nursing license renewals
• Continuing Education Units (CEU) requirements

Crisis nurses should ensure they are licensed in their home state and maintain a compact nursing license. Additional licenses in other states outside the nursing compact will allow the crisis nurse to respond to more opportunities.

What are the salary and career outlooks for crisis nurses? 

One of the biggest benefits of working as a crisis nurse is the potential for very high pay.

There is a high demand for nurses in general. The average pay for all nurses is $82,750 annually, depending on location, setting, and prior experience.

Crisis nurses can earn between $2,000 to $10,000 per week, depending on the specialty and the city.

The average salary for crisis nurses is $100,896 per year. However, this can stretch to over $200,000 per year for nurses in extremely high-demand areas who receive exceptional bonus packages.

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Most crisis nurse contracts provide a weekly stipend for housing in addition to reimbursement for travel expenses. Some offer sign-on bonuses or other incentives.

It’s important to carefully read through your crisis nurse contract before accepting a position. When reviewing a crisis nurse contract, be sure to review:

• Base rate
• Overtime rate
• Hazard pay
• Housing and/or transportation stipend
• Take-home pay (after taxes)
• Need for quarantine before or after the contract, and if this is paid

Job satisfaction

While crisis nursing can be challenging and stressful at times, many nurses find great satisfaction in the work.

As a crisis nurse, you can:

• Provide lifesaving care during disasters and public health emergencies
• Have the opportunity to travel around the United States
• Earn one of the highest potential salaries in bedside nursing
• Support nursing colleagues when they need extra hands
• Put your nursing skills to the ultimate test in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Next steps

Do you have what it takes to become a crisis nurse? Talk to other crisis nurses on the Incredible Health forum and learn how you can enter this exciting and challenging field.

Incredible Health is your one-stop shop for everything you need to advance your nursing career. Create a free profile with Incredible Health, and we’ll help you:

• Stay current in your nursing license with free continuing education units (CEUs)
• Discover your ideal nursing specialty with our free specialty quiz
• Prepare your resume and cover letter through our career resources

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Nurse Types / Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner

A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) provides expert nursing care to victims of sexual assault and abuse.

This type of nursing requires advanced knowledge and experience. SANEs must also have additional certification and several years of prior experience in the emergency room, maternal health, or critical care.

There is a desperate need for more qualified SANEs. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), someone is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. However, many of these victims are unable to receive a proper forensic exam (or “rape kit”) due to a lack of qualified staff.

There are currently 2,331 SANEs in the United States. In practical terms, there are only 66 registered SANEs (out of 93,902 Registered Nurses) in the entire state of Virginia. This means there are only 66 SANEs to serve more than 8.5 million people living in Virginia. Similar disparities exist around the nation.

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This article will describe the steps to become a SANE, including:

• What is a SANE?
• What do SANEs do?
• Where do SANEs work?
• What are closely related fields?
• How do you become a SANE in 3 steps?
• What are additional requirements of SANEs?
• What are the salary and career outlooks for SANEs?

What is a SANE?

A SANE supports and treats victims of sexual abuse and assault in collaboration with other healthcare providers, law enforcement, social work, and mental health providers.

While a large part of the job includes conducting forensic exams that may be used in prosecution, a SANE is first and foremost a nurse who prioritizes their patient’s physical and mental health needs.

Qualities of a successful SANE 

It can be emotionally challenging to work with victims of sexual assault or abuse. In order to succeed as a SANE, you must:

• Establish a good self-care practice to handle the emotional challenges of this work
• Obtain advanced certification and training
• Understand how to support victims of sexual abuse and help them access recovery resources
• Advocate for your patient’s well-being through communications with law enforcement, social workers, and other healthcare providers
• Have excellent assessment skills, usually based on years of experience as a Registered Nurse

What do SANEs do?

A SANE conducts physical exams after sexual abuse or assault, provides emotional support, and coordinates care with other members of the healthcare and law enforcement teams.

The forensic exam is used to document trauma and collect evidence that may be used as part of a criminal trial. The SANE collects the patient’s medical history, takes photos of injuries, and documents any visible scratches, bruises, abrasions, or other injuries. They also collect DNA swabs and toxicology samples as needed.

Most importantly, the SANE supports their patient in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event. This may include prophylactic contraception and antibiotics as well as testing for sexually transmitted diseases. A SANE also provides referrals to mental health providers to support patients in their recovery. 

SANE exams can be difficult for patients as they often require access to personal areas of the body. SANE nurses are trained to ask for consent throughout the exam, which can help the patient regain a sense of control over their body after a traumatic event.

A SANE is part of a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). These teams include survivor advocates, law enforcement personnel, and mental health providers.

A day in the life a SANE

A SANE plays an instrumental role in supporting patients at the start of their recovery from sexual assault.

Some SANEs work on staff in a hospital. Others work full-time as bedside nurses, perhaps in the ER, and are assigned to patients reporting sexual assault as needed.

Many SANE work on-call shifts. When they receive a call about a new patient, they may drive to the hospital to conduct an exam in person, or they may work with the patient via telehealth. In these cases, a Registered Nurse or other healthcare provider conducts the physical exam under the guidance of the SANE.

Throughout the patient interaction, the SANE provides support, information, and validation for the patient. They also ensure that physical evidence is collected in accordance with law enforcement guidelines. 

A SANE may also be called to testify in criminal trials. However only 20% of sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement. RAINN reports that only 25% of perpetrators will be convicted.  

As long as the patient consents, SANEs may conduct physical exams even if the patient does not wish to report their assault to law enforcement. In most states, evidence is held for several months in case the victim chooses to pursue prosecution at a later date.

Where do SANEs work?

SANEs typically work in emergency rooms, although some SANEs operate out of separate offices or mobile clinics.

What are closely related fields?

SANEs are a type of forensic nurse. Related fields include:

• Correctional nursing
• Legal nurse consultant
• ER nursing
• Psychiatric nursing

How do you become a SANE in 3 steps?

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

SANEs are Registered Nurses who have several years of bedside experience. To become a Registered Nurse, you must complete between 2-4 years of education and pass the NCLEX exam.

Earn a BSN degree

The first step to becoming a SANE is to obtain your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). 

Most employers prefer nurses with a BSN rather than an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).  BSN-prepared nurses usually qualify for higher salaries and greater responsibilities. If you have already completed an ADN program, there are RN-to-BSN programs that can help streamline the BSN process.

Individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree in a different field may qualify for an accelerated BSN program. These can be completed in as little as 16 months depending on your prior degree and coursework. 

Pass the NCLEX exam

After completing your BSN degree, it’s time to take the NCLEX exam and apply for a nursing license in the state where you want to work. The NCLEX is a national exam that certifies you have the minimum knowledge to practice safely as a nurse. All prospective nurses must pass this exam in order to apply for a nursing license.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Helpful skills and experience

In order to qualify as a SANE, you must have prior bedside experience as a Registered Nurse. Experience in the emergency room, maternal or women’s health, or forensic nursing can be particularly helpful.

Changing specialty to SANE 

If you wish to change your specialty to become a SANE, it helps to take continuing education units in related topics. CEUs may also be used to renew your nursing license depending on the state where you hold your nursing license.

When applying to a SANE position for the first time, be sure to highlight your assessment skills, any experience you have working with victims of abuse or trauma, or any advocacy work you’ve performed in the past.

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Step 3 – Obtain certifications

SANEs must undergo a rigorous certification process that includes clinical experience, a preceptorship, coursework, and a national exam.

There are two main certifications: the SANE-A is for nurses who specialize in adult patients and the SANE-P is for pediatrics.

In order to sit for the SANE exam, you must:

• Have at least two years of bedside experience to obtain SANE-A certification
• Have at least three years of bedside experience to obtain the SANE-P certification
• Complete a 40-hour course
• Participate in a clinical preceptorship
• Demonstrate 300 hours of SANE-related practice within the past 3 years, with at least 200 of those hours spent working with the intended exam population.

The certification is good for three years. You can renew your SANE certification through a combination of relevant CEUs and practical hours.

Curious about nurse certifications? This guide explains everything you need to know.

What are additional requirements of SANEs? 

The SANE’s most important role is to provide exceptional nursing care that supports a patient’s both mental and physical recovery. 

Outside of providing direct patient care, the SANE:

• Connects patients with resources like mental health providers or legal advocates
• Provides expert testimony during criminal court proceedings
• Maintains the chain of custody for evidence obtained from sexual assault examinations
• Closely adheres to legal guidelines regarding the collection of specimens and other evidence, as well as documentation and storage of these materials
• Serve as an advocate for victim’s rights within the community

What are the salary and career outlooks for SANEs?

Overall, the field of nursing continues to grow by 6% between 2021 and 2031. The demand for SANE nurses is high. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average pay for all nurses is $82,750 per year. Actual pay varies based on location, work setting, additional certifications, and years of experience.

SANE nurses can expect to earn an average salary of around $78,000 per year with a typical range of $46,000 to $93,500. Actual salary depends on where you live, years of experience, and additional certifications. 

According to ZipRecruiter, the highest salaries for this career are currently found in cities in California, New York, Massachusetts, and Virginia.

Job satisfaction

SANE work provides essential nursing support for patients during a very difficult time. SANEs have the opportunity to make a deep impact on sexual assault survivors. Many SANEs report high levels of job satisfaction despite the emotional challenges of this work.

Outside of pay, this type of nursing may be a good fit for nurses who want a job that is less physically demanding than bedside nursing or who prefer to work closely with just one patient at a time.

Next steps

Sexual assault nursing is a rewarding career that provides vital nursing care to patients experiencing a crisis.

SANE nurses who wish to advance their careers may consider:

• Obtaining an advanced degree or post-graduate certificate
• Participating in victim advocacy groups
• Conducting research or working in academia
• Preparing training or courses for other nurses who may encounter victims of sexual assault or abuse
• Working as a legal consultant or expert witness for sexual assault cases

Do you have what it takes to become a SANE? Connect with other SANE and forensic nurses on the Incredible Health forum. 

Explore more career resources to help you prepare for your next nursing position as a SANE. Once you create a free profile with Incredible Health, we can provide you with additional materials and resources to help you reach your professional goals.

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Nurse Types / CVICU Nurse

A cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) nurse cares for patients with critical heart and vascular conditions who need constant monitoring and expert medical support. With heart disease being the leading killer of both men and women, CVICU nurses are extremely important.

CVICU nurses may care for patients with complex problems, like congenital heart anomalies, cardiac infections, myocardial infarctions (heart attacks), or vascular diseases. Cardiovascular function impacts every area of the body. A good CVICU nurse must understand how cardiovascular problems affect other bodily systems, like the kidney, brain, and lungs.

The CVICU is an excellent fit for nurses who are strong critical thinkers with a deep understanding of cardiac rhythms, pathophysiology, and advanced medical interventions.

This article will explain exactly what a CVICU nurse does and how to get started in this field, including:

• What is a CVICU nurse?
• What do CVICU nurses do?
• Where do CVICU nurses work?
• What are specific types of CVICU nurses?
• How do you become a CVICU nurse in 3 steps?
• What are additional requirements of CVICU nurses? 
• What are the salary and career outlooks for CVICU nurses?
• FAQs

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What is a CVICU nurse?

A CVICU nurse provides advanced medical care to patients with complex cardiovascular problems. Many of these patients have recently undergone cardiac surgery for conditions like atrial fibrillation, abdominal aortic aneurysm, or heart valve replacements. Others are suffering from conditions like shock, respiratory insufficiency, or heart failure.

Qualities of a successful CVICU nurse

CVICU nursing is a type of critical care nursing. A great CVICU nurse must be organized, meticulous, and a strong critical thinker. Patients in the CVICU require advanced cardiac monitoring and intervention, so this type of nurse should be comfortable interpreting cardiac rhythms and responding appropriately.

Other skills required in this role include:

• A deep understanding of the heart, including pathophysiology, common disease processes, and cardiac rhythms
• Able to manage complex medications and therapies, like Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT), Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)Strong resuscitation skills
• Attention to detail and ability to assess, interpret, and intervene according to minute shifts in general patient condition
• Ability to communicate well with an health team
• A love of supporting and teaching patients and their families about cardiovascular issues and recovery

What do CVICU nurses do?

CVICU nurses provide advanced care for critically ill patients with cardiovascular problems. 

Patients may include:

• Babies with congenital heart defects
• Adolescents with pericarditis (an infection of the lining around the heart)
• Adults with complex medical histories that include heart failure along with comorbidities like diabetes or cancer

A day in the life of a CVICU nurse

Most CVICU nurses work with just one or two patients at a time. A typical shift may begin with receiving a report from another nurse, including:

• Patient’s medical and surgical history
• Last set of vital signs and pain management plan
• Current medications and interventions
• Scheduled interventions with surgical, rehabilitative therapy, or imaging teams
• Dietary and daily care needs
• Relevant psychosocial or family issues

Next, the CVICU provides a thorough head-to-toe assessment of the patient, including:

• Intake and output
• Pain level and vital signs
• Skin assessment
• Heart and lung sounds
• Cardiac rhythm

The CVICU nurse then administers medications and monitors therapies throughout the shift. The nurse may also need to prepare the patient for a procedure or test. The nurse ensures that the patient’s daily care needs are met, including appropriate diet, bathing, and patient education.

Throughout the shift, the CVICU must communicate and coordinate with other members of the healthcare team. This might mean ensuring pain medication is administered prior to a scheduled procedure or knowing when to call the physician about a subtle change in heart rhythm. 

The CVICU nurse must be ready to call the rapid response team and jump into action if a patient’s heart stops beating. They must also be prepared to support patients and families with complex diagnoses or poor outcomes.

Common conditions treated by CVICU nurses

The cardiovascular system is a complex system that impacts every part of the body. CVICU nurses work with patients with a wide variety of cardiac and vascular problems, including:

• Coronary artery bypass grafting
• Heart and lung transplant  
• Heart failure  
• Ventricular Assist Device implantation and management 
• Cardiogenic Shock  
• Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) procedures  
• Heart valve replacement  
• Transcutaneous Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)  
• Surgical intervention for atrial fibrillation  
• Thrombolytic therapy related to vascular emergencies

According to one study, the most common admission diagnoses to the CVICU are acute coronary syndrome (31.8%) and heart failure (18.6%). 

Some patients with cardiovascular issues can be managed on a general med-surg floor. 

Patients in the CVICU are usually admitted because of advanced issues like respiratory insufficiency, shock, unstable arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest.  

Where do CVICU nurses work?

Nearly all CVICU nurses work in hospital intensive care units due to the complex monitoring and support these patients require. 

Some nurses may work in step-down units, specialized telemetry units, or in remote teleICU facilities where they provide an additional set of eyes or expertise for patients offsite. Others may work in post-operative anesthesia units, cardiac cath labs, electrophysiology units, or interventional cardiology units. 

The CVICU is a high-technology workplace. Cardiovascular intensive care often requires advanced technology for intervention and monitoring. Some examples include:

• Intra-aortic balloon pumps
• Continuous renal replacement therapy
• Artificial ventilation
• Intravenous and central lines
• Conscious sedation

What are specific types of CVICU nurses?

CVICU nurses are already very specialized healthcare professionals. Some CVICU nurses may further specialize in a subset of cardiovascular care, like post-operative care, pediatric or neonatal cardiovascular care, or cardiothoracic intensive care.

Closely Related Fields

Nurses who work in the CVICU are a type of critical care nurse. Other critical care nurses include Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) nurses. Nurses who enjoy working with critical patients in a fast-paced environment might also consider emergency nursing.

How do you become a CVICU nurse in 3 steps?

Given the specialized nature of CVICU nursing, it takes extra training and experience to work as a CVICU nurse. Here’s how to get started.

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

The first step to becoming a CVICU nurse is to obtain your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and pass the NCLEX exam.

Earn a BSN degree

BSN-prepared nurses are in high demand, and most employers are looking to hire nurses with a bachelor’s degree rather than an associates. A BSN may also help you negotiate for a better salary and more responsibilities.

You may be eligible for an accelerated BSN program if you have a bachelor’s degree in another field. Others may start with a traditional four-year degree or RN-to-BSN bridge program.

Pass the NCLEX-RN exam

The NCLEX is a national exam that every registered nurse must pass in order to demonstrate a minimum level of skill and knowledge to practice safely.

There are two versions of the NCLEX for both practical and registered nurses. Nurses who aspire to critical care nursing should sit for the NCLEX-RN. 

Passing the NCLEX exam enables you to apply for a nursing license in the state where you would like to practice. Once you have your license, it’s time to find your first CVICU job. Our career resources can help you find and prepare for your next nursing position.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Helpful skills and experience

CVICU nurses should have a good understanding of cardiovascular issues. One way to prepare for this type of position is to take continuing education units on topics related to cardiac pathophysiology, interpreting cardiac rhythms, post-operative care, and advanced cardiovascular interventions.

Changing specialty to a CVICU nurse

Many nurses start their careers on the med-surg floor, which is excellent preparation for CVICU nursing. A year or two on a med-surg floor will help you learn the skills to care for patients with both medical and surgical needs in a less-acute setting.

Other nurses switch specialties from areas like emergency nursing, telemetry nursing, or other areas of critical care nursing. These positions provide excellent background in cardiac rhythms, critical nursing skills, and advanced medical technology.

Some hospitals also offer fellowship programs for nurses looking to switch to the CVICU. Check out the Incredible Health job board for CVICU positions near you.

Step 3 – Obtain certifications

All CVICU nurses should maintain active Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certifications.

As you gain experience and confidence in the CVICU, you may be interested in obtaining specialized certifications to demonstrate your knowledge and skill. These certifications may qualify you for more advanced positions or a better salary. 

Most advanced certifications require at least 2-5 years of experience working with critically ill cardiac patients. Available certifications include:

• Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
• Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC)
• Cardiac Surgery Certification (CSC)
• Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (RN-BC)
• Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional (CCRP)

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What are additional requirements of CVICU nurses? 

Nurses working in the CVICU thrive in a high-stress and fast-paced environment. They know how to manage their time, prioritize tasks, and provide exceptional, advanced-level nursing care.

This work can be difficult, however. CVICU nurses must also understand how to protect their mental health from the emotional labor involved in CVICU nursing. 

What are the salary and career outlooks for CVICU nurses?

Critical care nurses can earn up to $90,855, well above the average annual salary of $82,750. Due to an increasing need for nurses and critical care nurses in general, the career outlook for CVICU nursing is optimistic.

Wondering how much nurses make in your state? Learn more about the average salary for nurses by state as well as the highest-paying cities for nurses. 

Find out how much you could earn with our free salary estimator. Prospective CVICU nurses should also consider other benefits, like sign-on bonuses and paid volunteer days.

Job satisfaction

The CVICU can be a gratifying place to work. It provides the opportunity to care for patients using advanced technology and a great deal of skill.

One recent study found that 94-96% of registered nurses are satisfied with their jobs.

Next steps 

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, high-reward career in critical care nursing, the CVICU might be right for you. 

Nurses in this field are in demand, and there is much room for growth within the field. You can grow your career as a CVICU nurse with additional certifications or by taking on a managerial role in the unit. 

Another option is to pursue an advanced degree as a cardiac nurse practitioner. Teaching and research are also great options for those looking for a change of pace.

If you’d like to speak to other nurses to learn about CVICU nursing (or any aspect of nursing!), join the conversation over in our question-and-answer portal.

Take the first step in your next career as a CVICU nurse. Create a profile with Incredible Health today to find your next job opportunity!

FAQs

Nurse Types / Maternity Nurse

A maternity nurse provides medical care to people throughout their reproductive journeys. This includes family planning and routine gynecological care to pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Also known as a Labor and Delivery or obstetric nurse, these healthcare professionals support patients with both routine and complicated pregnancies, deliveries, and postpartum periods.

If you love the idea of helping families welcome a new baby (or babies!), then maternity nursing might be right for you. This article will explain the steps involved in becoming a maternity nurse, including:

• What is a maternity nurse?
• What do maternity nurses do?
• Where do maternity nurses work?
• What are specific types of maternity nurses?
• How do you become a maternity nurse in 3 steps?
• What are additional requirements of maternity nurses? 
• What are the salary and career outlooks for maternity nurses?

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What is a maternity nurse?

A maternity nurse provides specialized medical care to a pregnant person and their newborn during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. Given the nature of this job, the maternity nurse actually has two (or more!) patients at a time: the pregnant person and the fetus or newborn.

Millions of babies are born in the United States every year, and pregnancy is responsible for a quarter of all hospital admissions. This means that maternity nurses play a crucial role in healthcare!

Qualities of a successful maternity nurse

Successful maternity nurses need advanced knowledge of women’s health issues, including pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care, and newborn care. 

Specific tasks and knowledge required in this role include:

• Understanding of prenatal, perinatal, and newborn conditions, diseases, and routine care.
• The ability to perform prenatal assessments, including vital signs, urine and blood tests, fetal ultrasounds, and heart rate monitoring.
• Understanding of how to support and coach laboring patients through both vaginal and surgical delivery. 
• Strong assessment skills for newborns and the ability to perform newborn screenings, including APGAR scores, vital signs, genetic screenings, and bloodwork.
• Strong communication skills to facilitate care between all members of the healthcare team.

This is only a small portion of the amazing work that maternity nurses perform every day. Most of all, maternity nurses must enjoy working with families during an exciting and sometimes tumultuous time in their lives.

What do maternity nurses do?

Maternity nurses are involved in many parts of the patient journey, from sexual education and family planning through delivery and newborn care.

A day in the life of a maternity nurse

There are many kinds of maternity nurses. A nurse working in the labor and delivery (L&D) unit might start their day by getting reports from another nurse. Most L&D nurses work with just one or two patients at a time depending on patient acuity.

Next, the L&D nurse will assess their patient, including pain, vital signs, and fetal monitoring. The nurse may spend time discussing the patient’s desired birth plan regarding cord clamping, breastfeeding, and pain medication.

The nurse will regularly assess the patient during their shift to determine progress of delivery. This might include cervical checks, fetal descent, rupture of membranes, and close observations of the laboring patient for pain and coping.

If the patient or fetus shows signs of distress the nurse will intervene by changing the patient’s position or administering oxygen. The nurse must monitor the laboring patient closely for signs that suggest more support is needed.

When the patient is ready to deliver, the nurse prepares the room with all of the instruments and tools needed to ensure a safe delivery. The nurse provides coaching to help the laboring patient effectively deliver the infant.  

After delivery, the nurse assesses the newborn and supports early breastfeeding if desired. The laboring patient is typically moved to the postpartum unit a few hours after delivery where the nurse gives report to the postpartum nurse.

Common conditions treated by maternity nurses

It might seem obvious that maternity nurses work with conditions related to female reproductive health, pregnancy, and newborns. The truth is that maternity nurses can work with many different types of patients and conditions.

For example, maternity nurses might work with:

• Patients with high-risk pregnancies or multiples who need to stay in the hospital for a long period of time for monitoring, surgical intervention, or early delivery
• Patients experiencing recurrent miscarriage or recovering from a stillbirth 
• Patients who are acting as a surrogate (carrying a fetus for another family) or navigating adoption
• Newborns with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), jaundice, cleft palate, prematurity, congenital anomalies, or endocrine disorders
• Patients recovering from cesarean delivery or trauma related to vaginal birth, like tearing or hemorrhage

Where do maternity nurses work?

Maternity nurses work with patients before, during, and after pregnancy. They might work in:

• Outpatient OB/GYN office 
• Birthing centers
• Hospitals 

Some maternity nurses work in public health roles in the community, which may include tasks like vaccination, pregnancy wellness visits, or teaching classes about breastfeeding, labor and delivery, newborn care, or infant CPR and first aid.

What are specific types of maternity nurses?

Maternity nurses can work in many different areas or specialties, including:

• Outpatient obstetrical or women’s health clinics
• Fertility clinics
• High-risk pregnancy outpatient clinics or inpatient units
• Labor and delivery units
• Postpartum units
• As a lactation nurse either in the hospital or on an outpatient basis
• Specialty units for pre- and perinatal issues 

Maternity nurses have a lot of flexibility within their field, and many nurses work in different areas over the course of their careers.

How do you become a maternity nurse in 3 steps?

Maternity nursing is a popular field, and it can take some strategic planning to break into this type of nursing. With a little preparation, however, you can achieve your goal of becoming a maternity nurse.

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

The first step on your journey to becoming a maternity nurse is to obtain your Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and then pass the NCLEX.

Earn a BSN degree

There are many ways to obtain your BSN degree depending on your past educational and professional experience. There are traditional four-year degree programs, accelerated BSN programs (ABSN) for those with a prior bachelors degree in another field, or ADN-BSN and RN-BSN bridge programs.

It’s worth obtaining a BSN if possible. BSN-prepared nurses usually earn more and are eligible for increased benefits and responsibilities.

Pass the NCLEX-RN exam

After you obtain your BSN, it’s time to take the NCLEX-RN exam. This is a national exam that certifies nurses have a minimum level of knowledge needed to practice safely.

Once you pass your boards, you’re ready to apply for a nursing license in the state where you wish to practice. Now it’s time to find your first maternity nursing job! Check out our career resources for help finding and preparing for your next big career move.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Helpful skills and experience

Nurses who are interested in maternity can start by taking continuing education units on topics related to women’s health, pregnancy, birth, and newborn care. 

If you’re still in nursing school, try to perform your senior practicum hours on an L&D or postpartum unit. You may also consider looking for work in an outpatient clinic to begin acquiring experience in this field.

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Changing specialty to a maternity nurse

Nurses with experience in other areas of nursing are great candidates for maternity nursing, particularly those with critical care or women’s health experience. Many hospitals also offer fellowships for nurses looking to switch to L&D.

Wondering what it takes to switch specialties? Nursing is a wonderful career because it allows for a great deal of flexibility. If you want to try a new specialty or are simply looking for a change of pace, it’s easy to explore new options.

Step 3 – Obtain certifications

In addition to Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), there are several different certifications available based on your career goals and specialty.

Certification for maternity nurses takes place through the National Certification Corporation. Each certification is specific to a different area of maternity nursing, and each requires at least 24 months of maternity nursing, 2000 practice hours, and passing an exam in that specialty.

Available certifications include:

• Registered Nurse Certified in Maternal and Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN)
• Registered Nurse Certified in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB)
• Registered Nurse in Inpatient Antepartum Nursing (RNC-AN)
• Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM)

There are additional certifications available for nurses who specialize in neonatal care, like Neonatal Resuscitation Certification (NRC), Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC), and Low Risk Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-LRN).

Nurses who wish to specialize in breastfeeding may consider becoming certified as an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, which is the international standard for breastfeeding support. In order to sit for the exam, you must take 95 hours of lactation-specific coursework and demonstrate anywhere from 300-1000 hours of direct breastfeeding support experience.

What are additional requirements of maternity nurses? 

In addition to providing exceptional care to patients throughout their reproductive journeys, maternity nurses must possess a number of other skills, like:

• Great communication skills
• Strong patient education skills
• Compassion and love for women’s health issues

One other important skill is the ability to provide self-care. The majority of patients in this field are healthy and undergoing a normal biological process Occasionally there are cases with difficult outcomes, like repeated infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, serious postpartum complications or death. 

Other patients present challenging comorbidities and psychosocial factors, like homelessness, drug abuse, mental health illnesses, or serious medical issues. Nurses in this field must be prepared to protect themself from the emotional labor involved in maternity nursing.

What are the salary and career outlooks for maternity nurses?

Maternity nursing is a competitive and sought-after field. While the average base pay for RNs is $82,750, nurses with additional certifications and expertise can reasonably expect to earn even more. The career outlook for RNs is expected to be 6% between 2021 and 2031. Overall, the career outlook for maternity nursing is strong.

The average salary for a maternity nurse is $68,854. The top 5 cities are:

Wondering how much you could earn? Our free salary estimator can help you determine possible salary ranges for your next job. Don’t forget to consider other benefits, like paid time off and childcare stipends.

Job satisfaction

Maternity nursing can be stressful and fast-paced, but many nurses report the benefits of working with new parents and babies are incredibly rewarding.

While there’s limited research on maternity nurse job satisfaction specifically, a recent study shows that between 94-96% of registered nurses are satisfied with their jobs.  Another survey showed that nurse-midwives report above average satisfaction with their career opportunities and stress levels. 

Next steps 

Maternity nurses have many options for career advancement. Some nurses obtain additional certifications and training to take on managerial roles in their clinic or unit. Others move into research or teaching roles.

Some nurses pursue an advanced degree as a nurse-midwife. Another option is to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), which enables nurses to work as specialized lactation nurses either in the hospital or on an outpatient basis or to serve patients in their homes and community.

Are you ready to explore maternity nurse jobs in your area? Create a profile with Incredible Health today and discover your next career move!

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Nurse Types / PICU Nurse

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) nurses provide exceptional nursing care to very sick children or adolescents. PICU nursing is a type of critical care nursing that requires advanced knowledge and skills specific to this patient population.

This article will help you understand the ins and outs of PICU nursing, including:

• What is a PICU nurse?
• What do PICU nurses do?
• Where do PICU nurses work?
• What are specific types of PICU nurses?
• How do you become a PICU nurse in 3 steps?
• What are additional requirements of PICU nurses? 
• What are the salary and career outlooks for PICU nurses?

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What is a PICU nurse?

PICU nurses care for the most severely ill children and adolescents who need the highest level of medical care. Patients in the PICU need intensive monitoring and frequent interventions, often requiring one-to-one level care.

Qualities of a successful PICU nurse

PICU nurses provide very specialized care. Nurses in this specialty must have:

• A love of working with children and adolescents
• A deep understanding of pediatric health issues, including disease processes, and other conditions
• Advanced knowledge of critical care nursing specific to the pediatric population, including:
  • infusion therapy 
  • ventilator management
  • cardiac monitoring 
  • management of endotracheal tubes; extraventricular drains; intravenous, intraosseous, and arterial lines 
  • catheters
  • dressings and wound care
• An ability to provide developmentally appropriate patient education as well as teaching to the family
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

What do PICU nurses do?

PICU nurses have a big job that requires compassion and highly developed knowledge and skills. PICU nurses must also be flexible and quick on their feet. One study of PICU nurses found that they perform an average of 90 tasks per hour, requiring changing tasks every 40 seconds!

A day in the life a PICU nurse

Many PICU nurses work with one or two patients at a time. Most patients in the PICU need very close monitoring, and their conditions can change swiftly. A PICU nurse must pay attention to indications of a change in status, particularly for patients who can’t speak due to age, condition, intubation or sedation. 

A typical shift in the PICU begins with receiving a report from another nurse. Next, the PICU nurse performs a full assessment of their patient. This includes:

• Vital signs 
• Drain output
• Skin condition
• Pain assessment
• Respiratory waveform and cardiac rhythms
• Neurological status

PICU nurses must administer medications requiring frequent assessments. This medical care must be balanced with daily care activities, like diaper changes, bathing, or feeding. 

Throughout the shift, the PICU nurse will need to provide updates to the patient’s care team. If the patient requires blood draws, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, imaging studies, or surgery, the PICU nurse will coordinate care with different members of the healthcare team.

The PICU nurse must document and communicate assessment findings, medication administration and patient response, daily care activities, and changes in status. The nurse must balance these responsibilities with providing emotional support and education to the patients and their families.

Common conditions treated by PICU nurses

Patients admitted to the PICU tend to have more complicated medical histories, like prematurity or pre-existing congenital disorders. One study found that 77% of PICU admissions involved at least one pre-existing chronic condition.

Respiratory infections are the most common condition treated in the PICU, and up to 40% of PICU patients require mechanical ventilation during their hospital stay.

Common conditions treated by PICU nurses include:

• Respiratory infections, like flu or RSV
• Chronic respiratory issues like asthma
• Congenital anomalies, like congenital heart defects or neural tube defects
• Neurologic disorders
• Infections
• Injuries
• Neoplasms (cancerous and non-cancerous growths)
• Endocrine disorders
• Circulatory disorders
• Sepsis and shock

Patients in the PICU may pose additional challenges. According to the Society for Critical Care Medicine, up to 38% of children admitted to the PICU have some sort of developmental delay. 

In addition, PICU patients often require lengthy stays in the hospital, which poses unique challenges as far as supporting the emotional and developmental needs of these patients. 

Where do PICU nurses work?

PICU nurses work almost exclusively in hospitals due to the complicated and advanced level of care required for these patients.

There are different types of PICUs. Some specialize in a particular condition or disease, like cardiovascular PICUs or transplant services. Additionally, PICUs can provide different levels of care. 

What are specific types of PICU nurses?

Nurses who are interested in critical care pediatric nursing are in high demand, so they have options available when it comes to where to work.

PICU nurses can choose between community-level PICUs or more specialized units in hospitals. There are PICU nurses who specialize in burn care, cardiac care, or cancer. Others work with the youngest patients in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). 

Some critical care pediatric nurses transition into flight nursing, which involves transporting critically ill patients via helicopter to specialized care facilities.

Closely related fields

PICU nurses are a type of critical call nurse. Critical care nurses provide specialized nursing for patients with serious medical or surgical health needs. 

Other critical care nursing fields include:

• Emergency and trauma nursing
• Flight nursing
• Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nursing 
• Adult intensive care unit (ICU) nursing
• Burn units
• Step-down care after surgery
• Cardiac intensive care unit (CCU) nursing

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How do you become a PICU nurse in 3 steps?

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

The first step is to become a Registered Nurse, which involves earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and passing a national exam to prove competency.

Earn a BSN degree

There are many ways to earn your BSN degree, from traditional four-year college programs, accelerated second-degree BSN programs (ABSN), and RN-to-BSN bridge programs.

Many hiring managers prefer to hire BSN-prepared nurses, and these nurses often earn higher salaries than nurses with associate degrees.  

Choosing the right program for you depends on your educational and professional history as well as your professional goals. 

Pass the NCLEX-RN exam

After obtaining your BSN, it’s time to take the NCLEX-RN exam. Once you pass the NCLEX, you are eligible to apply for a nursing license in the state you wish to work.

Once you have your BSN and have passed the NCLEX, you’re ready to start your job hunt. Check out Incredible Health’s career resources to help you find and prepare for your ideal job.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

New graduate nurses can sometimes find jobs in the PICU, but it can be difficult due to the specialized skills required for this position. Many nurses transition into the PICU after obtaining experience in other units first.

Helpful skills and experience

You can boost your chances of finding a job in the PICU by completing your nursing school practicum hours in a PICU. Newer nurses might also start by targeting community-level PICUs that serve patients at a lower acuity level.

You can also demonstrate your interest in PICU nursing through continuing education units (CEUs) in pediatric topics. Incredible Health offers free CEUs on a variety of topics, including pediatric care.

Changing specialty to a PICU nurse

Are you looking to change your specialty from another area to PICU nursing? Many PICU nurses start in another area of the hospital, like med-surg. This previous experience will help you stand out when you apply for a position in the PICU. 

If you currently work in a unit that serves children (like the ER, urgent care, or med-surg floor), try talking to your manager or charge nurse about your professional goals. They may be able to help you by assigning you pediatric cases when possible.

Another option is to reach out to nursing colleagues to see if you can shadow them for a day to learn more about the job.

Step 3 – Obtain certifications

There are three main certifications available to pediatric nurses, and each of them requires several years of experience working with pediatric patients.

Once you obtain a job working in pediatrics, you can pursue either the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) or Pediatric Nursing Certification (PED-BC™) certification. 

These certifications are less specialized than the Critical Care Nurse (Pediatric) Certification (CCRN), but they can help demonstrate your dedication and knowledge of pediatric disease processes and developmental needs. 

The CPN and PED-BC exams require 2-5 years of pediatric nursing experience. This can take place in many settings:

• Children’s hospital
• School
• Home health
• Specialty clinic
• Special needs daycare
• Public health agency
• Primary care practice

The CCRN is an advanced certification available to nurses with demonstrated experience caring for pediatric patients who are critically ill. There are two-year and five-year options for certification, and both pathways require passing an exam to demonstrate your knowledge.

Check with your current employer to see which certifications they prefer (sometimes, you can get the cost of the exam covered by your employer!).

What are additional requirements of PICU nurses? 

PICU nurses must be able to work in high-stress, fast-paced work environments requiring attention to detail and specialized knowledge of advanced medical technology. Successful PICU nurses are calm under pressure and willing to tackle challenges head-on.

In addition to providing exceptional and specialized care, PICU nurses need to be able to bear the emotional burden of caring for very ill children and adolescents. These nurses must walk a delicate line between providing compassionate care while protecting their own mental health.

PICU nurses must also be great communicators who can provide emotional support and education to their patients and worried family members. 

What are the salary and career outlooks for PICU nurses?

The career outlook for PICU nurses is strong. These specialized nurses often earn more due to their experience and advanced certifications. Additionally, nursing in general is a growing field, with expected job growth of 6% between 2021 and 2031. 

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t break down salary according to specialty, the median pay for all nurses is $82,750 per year. Nurses with additional certifications and expertise can reasonably expect to earn even more than this. 

The average annual pay for a PICU nurse is $94,000. The top 5 cities are:

Curious to see how much you could earn? Try our free salary estimator. 

There are many other ways that employers provide benefits to their nursing staff. From childcare benefits to paid time off, qualified and experienced nurses are compensated in many different ways.

Job satisfaction

The PICU can be a challenging place to work, given the high morbidity and mortality of patients in this environment. The need to perform advanced nursing skills and demonstrate continued proficiency with advanced medical technology can also make PICU nursing difficult.

One review study found that working in a supportive work environment with a good team can help protect PICU staff from burnout. PICU nurses also benefit from a strong sense of competence that comes from using advanced skills in a specialized setting.

We can help you find the right PICU for your next career move. Set up a free profile today, and we’ll help connect you to employers competing to hire PICU nurses!

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Next steps 

PICU nurses looking to expand their career options might look at the CCRN certification or additional training to work as a charge nurse in their unit. Another option is to move to a specialty pediatrics center that serves more acute cases. 

Some PICU nurses obtain a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and subsequently move into a different role on the healthcare team.

PICU nurses looking to advance their career might consider positions in management, academics, or advanced practice nursing. These paths may offer increased salaries or job responsibilities.

Ready to take the next step? Join Incredible Health today to make your next career move…incredible!