Critical care nurses provide specialized care to patients experiencing a life threatening or potentially life threatening illness. The care provided is intensive, complex and continuous. The attributes required to practice critical care nursing include but are not limited to, advanced theoretical knowledge, critical thinking, advanced problem solving, responsible leadership, advocacy, judgment and sound communication skills.
Critical care nurses working with patients who have cardiovascular illness focus not only on the current event but optimization of cardiovascular health across the lifespan. This role requires extensive clinical knowledge and expertise to facilitate safe patient care and promote long term health and wellness.