Travel ICU Nurse Jobs

For jobs available on Vivian as of Tuesday, March 21st 2023, the average weekly salary for a Travel Intensive Care Unit Nurse is $2,277, but can pay up to $4,474 per week.

The agencies on Vivian that currently have the most Travel ICU Nurse jobs are PRN Healthcare (301), TotalMed Staffing (284), and OneStaff Medical (246).

ICU nursing is a rewarding career choice and not just because of the opportunity to help patients who are suffering from critical illness or are in a rapidly deteriorating condition.  To successfully navigate the ICU requires exceptional attention to detail, and expert knowledge regarding advanced technology and pathophysiology of disease processes, often leading nurses to seek out additional education, training, and certification.

ICU nurses typically work in the various specialty  intensive care units of hospitals. They treat patients  that are admitted with a critical illness, but also care for patients that are rapidly deteriorating in other areas of the hospital. ICU RNs work with other healthcare team members to help return patients to a more stable state so that they can be treated in less critical areas of the facility and progress towards recovery.

ICU mostly work inside closed units at acute care facilities. However, someone who is qualified to work as an ICU nurse has typically demonstrated the experience and knowledge needed to work in a wide variety of environments, such as emergency departments, operating rooms,. cath labs, outpatient procedural areas,  and even outpatient clinics. Critical care nurses may also be able to work  for specialty organizations, such as non-profit relief agencies, where their skills may be called upon during emergency situations or disasters.

While some organizations do hire RNs without certifications or specific experience and train them in ICU nursing, many hospitals look to hire professionals with degrees, certifications and relevant experience. A common path to working in the intensive care unit might follow the steps below.

Intensive Care Unit nurses may hold Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Certification in Acute/Critical Care Nursing (CCRN) or Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) among others.

Some healthcare employers may prefer intensive care unit nurses job candidates with AACN Acute/Critical Care Nursing (CCRN-Adult), AACN Acute/Critical Care Knowledge Professional (CCRN-K Adult), AACN Progressive Care Knowledge Professional (PCCN-K), Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse (CHRN), Advanced Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse (ACHRN) or Adult Certified ECMO Specialist (CES-A), and some may even require specific professional certifications. The CACCN Certified Nurse in Critical Care (CNCC) is available if you are a nurse residing in Canada.

Having a AACN Acute/Critical Care Nursing (CCRN-Adult) validates your knowledge and skills as a intensive care unit nurse and your dedication to continuing your education in your chosen field. All of which makes you a more desirable job candidate to healthcare employers.

Having a AACN Acute/Critical Care Knowledge Professional (CCRN-K Adult) validates your knowledge and skills as a intensive care unit nurse and your dedication to continuing your education in your chosen field. All of which makes you a more desirable job candidate to healthcare employers.

Having a AACN Progressive Care Knowledge Professional (PCCN-K) validates your knowledge and skills as a intensive care unit nurse and your dedication to continuing your education in your chosen field. All of which makes you a more desirable job candidate to healthcare employers.

Having a Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse (CHRN) validates your knowledge and skills as a intensive care unit nurse and your dedication to continuing your education in your chosen field. All of which makes you a more desirable job candidate to healthcare employers.