ICU Nursing: Definition, Examples, and Skills

It takes a variety of abilities to function efficiently in the stressful setting that is the intensive care unit of a hospital. Critically ill or injured patients are frequently seen by ICU nurses, who are required to handle each circumstance with professionalism. This blog discusses what an ICU nurse is, the top ten medical skills they require, how to develop them, and practical applications for using them in the workplace.

What is an ICU nurse?

Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses are medical professionals who work in the ICU of a hospital or other medical facility. The ICU is a section of the hospital that provides 24-hour care to critically ill or injured patients. This unit is where the most vulnerable and at-risk patients are placed because they require close supervision at all times. ICU nurses are responsible for caring for these patients and providing round-the-clock care to ensure patient conditions do not worsen.

ICU nurses perform much of the same duties as nurses in other areas of the hospital. However, ICU nurses often work under pressure and must understand how to use various equipment that lower-stakes environments in the medical facility often don't require. Because of their environment and the demands of their work, ICU nurses must possess several skills to be successful in their careers.

Examples of ICU nursing skills

The following are a few of the most important skills needed by ICU nurses to effectively perform their duties:

Communication skills

ICU nurses are regularly communicating with various people, including patients, members of the healthcare team, doctors and family members of the patient. Additionally, ICU nurses must keep patient reports and data up-to-date to inform other nurses of patient conditions. The most important communication skills for nurses working in the ICU include:

• Active listening
• Non-verbal communication
• Written communication
• Oral communication
• Presentation skills
• Patient education skills

Interpersonal skills

Nurses must have strong interpersonal skills to handle patient-related tasks and communicate effectively with others. Solid interpersonal skills allow ICU nurses to better handle stressful situations and convey information to others when necessary. Common interpersonal skills needed by nurses include patience, listening skills and stress management.

Patience is especially important when working in the ICU, as family members are often frightened and confused and may demand information about their loved one from the nurse. Staying calm and effectively handling the situation while relaying relevant information to the family is essential in maintaining a peaceful and healing environment for the patient.

Additionally, listening skills are imperative for ICU nurses, as most patients merely describe their symptoms rather than what they need to recover. ICU nurses must be able to listen closely and pick up on any cues as to the condition and needs of the patient to ensure an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Stress management is also vital for ICU nurses to be effective in their jobs. These nurses are often exposed to many emergencies and individuals in critical condition, which can be overwhelming. Productively handling stress ensures that an ICU nurse can successfully cope with the situation and make informed decisions in any situation.

Decision-making skills

ICU nurses are responsible for making several decisions throughout their day, and many of these decisions are critical to a patient's recovery. Nurses must prioritize patient care based on each patient's needs and make informed decisions that correlate with patient needs and conditions.

Strong decision-making skills also allow ICU nurses to be better leaders and managers. Some ICU nurses are responsible for overseeing the nursing staff in the unit and must make decisions in complex, challenging and uncertain environments. Many decisions made by ICU nurse managers and leaders are high-stakes and can have a direct negative impact on patient care.

Problem-solving skills

Problem-solving skills are skills that allow ICU nurses to better handle problems and determine effective solutions. Problem solving is necessary in several nursing contexts, including when providing direct patient care and making staff-related decisions. ICU nurses need strong problem-solving techniques that allow them to quickly and efficiently make informed decisions and provide resolutions to challenges in a stressful environment.

Good problem-solving skills that ICU nurses should possess include:

• Research skills
• Creativity
• Team-building skills
• Analysis
• Active listening skills
• Dependability

Observational skills

Observational skills are skills that allow individuals to monitor their environment and come to conclusions based on observations. ICU nurses must have strong observational skills, as many of their patients are too sick or injured to speak. Nurses must be able to observe patient conditions, be aware of worsening conditions and differentiate between what's normal and what's abnormal in an ICU setting. They must also communicate any abnormal observations to a doctor so they can take the necessary actions to take care of the patient.

Assessment skills

Patient assessment is an integral part of an ICU nurse's job and is the foundation of creating and implementing effective patient treatment plans. They must regularly re-assess ICU patients to monitor changes in condition and note any improvements or worsening of symptoms. Common types of assessments nurses perform include:

• Measuring body temperature
• Checking vital signs
• Taking blood pressure
• Assessing pain levels and identifying pain signals in people who cannot communicate their pain
• Collecting specimens
• Determining tissue viability
• Determining patient mobility
• Assessing patient nutrition and hydration conditions and needs
• Analyzing patient response to treatment

Clinical skills

ICU nurses often work with advanced equipment that isn't always found in other units in the hospital. Understanding how to use these clinical tools is essential in providing quality and effective patient care. They must also know various medical techniques and when it's necessary to use these techniques in a critical care setting.

Examples of critical care clinical skills needed by ICU nurses include:

• Central line insertion
• Arrhythmia analysis
• Care of patients with intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP)
• Titration and management of medications that include heparin, morphine, nitroglycerine, incisor and Cardizem
• Sheath removal
• SV02 monitoring
• Transducer set-up
• Administration of medications that include bicarbonate, epinephrine, dopamine, digoxin, atropine and lidocaine
• ICP monitoring
• Cardioversion and defibrillation
• Care of patients receiving TPA and Streptokinase

Critical thinking skills

ICU nurses use critical thinking skills in their everyday work settings to evaluate, analyze and synthesize information related to patient status and needs. They must use this information to create effective plans of action. Critical thinking skills are especially important in situations where there are no clear answers or solutions to a situation. Strong critical thinking skills help nurses solve specific problems and act in a swift and effective manner.

Good critical thinking skills also allow ICU nurses to quickly adapt to changing conditions. For example, if a patient suddenly begins to decline in health and traditional methods are not helping the patient, nurses need to be able to make rapid decisions and take action based on the information available to them.

Ethics

ICU nurses must practice good ethics to be effective in their positions. Nurses need to provide care to patients no matter their situation and treat all patients respectably and sincerely. They must also make ethical decisions based on patient care and distinguish nonethical from ethical situations.

Professionalism

Intensive care unit nurses must act in a professional manner at all times, even when a situation is challenging or stressful. Examples of professional skills needed by ICU nurses include conflict management, leadership, collaboration, teamwork and negotiation skills. They must also dress and speak professionally and act in a respectful way to both patients and colleagues.

How to improve ICU nursing skills

The following are a few ways you can build upon your current skill set to further hone your ICU nursing skills:

1. Get familiar with the technology. Nursing often involves the use of several technological programs and software. For example, an app may allow nurses to determine the exact medication dosages needed for a patient as well as any potential side effects or interactions. Technology also allows nurses to find out more information on a patient before they even meet with them. Take time throughout your nursing shift to spend a few moments practicing using the various technology in your medical facility.

2. Work on your communication skills: Because communication is such an integral part of ICU nursing, it's important to hone these skills as much as possible. Practice communicating with friends, family and even coworkers. Ask for feedback as to what you can improve upon to make you a more efficient and effective communicator and implement that feedback into your work.

3. Find a mentor. Mentors are especially helpful in the nursing world, as many mentor nurses have extensive experience working in ICU settings. Find a mentor you look up to and watch how they perform their work. Ask for feedback and recommendation as to how you can improve on your work and regularly check in with your mentor for feedback on your progress.

4. Take a class. While you may have learned many excellent skills required to be a nurse in nursing school, not all nursing skills focus on the soft skills needed by nursing. Consider taking an online course or certification program to work on a particular skill such as communication, interpersonal or problem-solving skills.

ICU nursing skills in the workplace

There are several ways you can incorporate your ICU nursing skills into your everyday work life, including by:

• Stay up-to-date on medical trends. Research is constantly updating as to why and how medical professionals perform their jobs. To be a good nurse, it's important to stay current on the latest trends and developments. Consider subscribing to a nursing journal or spend a few minutes each week looking online for any updates in your field.
• Practice good communication. Nurses have several opportunities throughout their shifts to practice good communication. Whether it be with doctors, other nurses, patients or patient family members, use each interaction as an opportunity to practice effective communication skills. Pay attention to body language, practice active listening and communicating in a way that is professional and successfully conveys information.
• Look for ways to use your critical-thinking skills. Most nurses have several chances to use critical thinking, especially in an ICU work environment. Look for opportunities to use your critical-thinking skills; for example, if you come across an unusual medication combination, evaluate the information you have and use critical thinking to come to the best solution.

How to highlight your ICU nursing skills

There are several opportunities to highlight your ICU nursing skills during the job application and interviewing process. These ways include:

ICU nursing skills on your resume and cover letter

On your resume, you can incorporate your ICU nursing skills into your previous nursing experience descriptions. Be sure to use specific examples that are quantifiable and clearly show how you used that skill successfully. For example, you could write that you streamlined the nursing communication process by developing a communication relaying process that enhanced nurses' abilities to more easily find patient information.

You can also highlight your nursing skills in your cover letter. Choose two or three of the most relevant skills for the position and provide specific examples of how you used each in a previous position.

ICU nursing skill in a job interview

During a job interview, take time to delve into each skill you possess as it relates to the job. Consider making a list of the skills specifically requested on the job posting and come up with one or two examples of when you've used each. Discuss these instances in the interview in detail.

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