Advanced ICU Certifications: Hone Skills, Expand Horizons

Are Critical Care Nursing Certifications, worth the effort? Yes, say experts.

Registered Nurses (RNs) who work in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are often expected to have critical care nursing certification in addition to their RN licensure. Because they care for patients at risk of sudden death, ICU nurses must stay on top of the latest developments in their specialty, which includes an ever-evolving set of technical and other bedside nursing skills.

For example, in response to COVID-19 and its pulmonary complications, The American Association of Critical Care Nurses, (AACN) created a micro-credential to help healthcare employers and their employees validate their knowledge in caring for mechanically ventilated patients: the COVID-19 Pulmonary and Ventilator Care micro-credential. RNs who earn this micro-credential may list it on their professional profiles, and it can be verified by healthcare employers. Credentials such as this one can expand employment opportunities and speed up hiring time. ;

The AACN notes that more than 95,000 acute and critical care RNs are presently certified in critical care nursing.

Do Hospitals Prefer RNs with Critical Care Nursing Certification?

Rapid response time and patient monitoring involving complex medical support equipment are typically required of ICU and CCU nurses – who are caring for patients who most often have life-threatening health disorders and/or injuries. One of the benefits of earning Advanced Practice RN (APRN) critical care nursing certification is acquiring up-to-date knowledge that can be crucial to the survival of your patients, and another is the gratification of enabling a patient to not succumb to their health disorder or injury, such as a heart attack or other organ damage.

Obtaining advanced credentials demonstrates your commitment to your career, your determination, and your time-management skills -- not to mention your enhanced skills in your specialty. This is an achievement every employer notices and appreciates.

Types of Critical Care Nursing Certificates

There are several different types of critical care nursing certificates offered by the AACN. The most common ones are aimed at RNs providing direct bedside care, but others are aimed at nurses influencing care, such as can occur in the role of a telehealth nurse or nursing administrator. The three most common AACN certifications are:

CCRN-Adult: For RNs specializing in critical care conditions. Nurses in this specialty can provide care regardless of location. They are able to work in ICUs, cardiac care units, surgical ICUs, transport and flight operations, as well as other trauma units
CCRN-Pediatric: For RNs specializing in critically ill patients between 11-21 years of age. Nurses in this sub-specialty may also work in the settings listed above.
CCRN-Neonatal: For RNs who specialize in treating critically ill newborns. The “neonatal” period is generally within the first month of being born, but conditions requiring intensive care can last longer than that. These nurses are also certified to work in the settings listed above.

These three certifications are available to individuals in the following roles: bedside nurse, Advance Practice RN [APRN], educator, preceptor, or manager.

Many hospital employers also look for BLS (Basic Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) when hiring ICU nurses. TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course) – or even TCRN certification, which is the certification typically completed by nurses specializing in emergency care, can also be helpful.

Will an ICU Certification Increase Your Pay?

Burn-out occurs frequently among Critical Care specialists because the work is so physically and emotionally taxing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ICU nursing positions have been the most frequently posted at contingent staffing agencies. This labor shortage also places increased pressure on hospital administrators to ensure adequate patient care. Travel nurses with Critical Care nursing certification can more easily acquire their preferred assignments and are more likely to be eligible for the highest-paying positions. In addition, RNs holding Critical Care nursing certificates can also work in various non-ICU settings, such as Step-down units and Critical Care air transport or “med-flights”.

The average annual staff salary in 2024 for an ICU RN in the US $85,205 . Neonatal ICU, Pediatric ICU and other ICU specialties can earn beyond that rate. Travel nurses are often paid more than other nurses because they are so often hired by employers experiencing an urgent nurse shortage -- it is generally a case of demand exceeding supply.

Requirements for Certification as a Critical Care RN

Besides holding RN licensure, nurses seeking the AACN’s ICU nursing (CCRN) certification need to complete a specific number of clinical practice hours. There is a two-year practice option requiring 1,750 hours of direct care for acutely/critically ill patients in the past two years), and a five-year option requiring 2,000 hours in the past five years. Passage of a three-hour test composed of 150 multiple-choice questions is also required.

Last Modified On: Dec 13, 2021

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Advanced ICU Certifications: Hone Skills, Expand Horizons

Do Hospitals Prefer RNs with Critical Care Nursing Certification?

Types of Critical Care Nursing Certificates

Will an ICU Certification Increase Your Pay?

Requirements for Certification as a Critical Care RN

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