Critical Care Nursing

What is a Critical Care Nurse?

Critical Care Nurses are exceptionally skilled in patient assessment and providing care to our most seriously ill patients who are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) may have suffered trauma, a cardiac event, stroke and/or be experiencing respiratory distress.

Critical Care nurses collaborate closely with inter-disciplinary teams including physicians, therapies professionals and dietitians to promote positive patient outcomes. Critical Care nurses often interact with the patient’s family members as the patient may not be able to communicate with staff due to the severity of their condition.

Critical Care Nurses may work in:

• Intensive Care 
• Cardiac Intensive Care or Coronary Care Unit 
• Neo-natal Intensive Care 
• Pediatric Intensive Care 

The Saskatchewan Health Authority has Intensive Care Units in the following facilities:

Battlefords' Union Hospital

Moose Jaw – Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital

Prince Albert - Victoria Hospital

Regina: Pasqua Hospital, Regina General Hospital

Saskatoon: Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, Royal University Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital

Swift Current – Cypress Regional Hospital

Weyburn General Hospital

Yorkton Regional Health Centre

What do staff love about working in the ICU in a smaller centre?

In smaller rural or northern intensive care units, Critical Care Nurses will see every type of patient with critical care needs from a large geographical area. The Critical Care nursing team is a smaller, very tightly knit team in these facilities. The volume of patients is also lower than in larger urban centres and is somewhat slower paced. Critical Care nurses in smaller centres will be called to cover codes within the facility and are looked upon as leaders in providing care across several units in the hospital for patients with more complex health issues. Because Critical Care nurses in a smaller centres are involved in such a variety of situations, they gain a broader overall experience within the scope of nursing practice and keep their skills fresh.

What is Cardiac Intensive Care?

The Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) is a highly specialized environment where expert critical care nurses deliver advanced care to patients suffering from a wide range of life-threatening heart conditions. These conditions can affect everything from the heart muscle itself to the intricate electrical signals that regulate its rhythm. Nurses in this unit must possess exceptional clinical skills and acute judgment, collaborating seamlessly with other specialized programs to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients with complex cardiac needs. 

How is Cardiac Intensive Care different from other Intensive Care Units?

In the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, although many patients are critically ill, they often remain alert and communicative. This unique aspect allows nurses to engage more deeply with their patients, providing not only life-saving interventions but also emotional support. The rapid recovery of many patients following treatment offers nurses the rewarding experience of witnessing significant improvements firsthand. These deep, enduring connections often extend beyond the unit, as patients continue to engage with their nurses through other cardiac care programs.

What is the best thing about working in Cardiac Intensive Care?

• The Cardiac Intensive Care Unit emphasizes continuous professional development, ensuring that nurses are always at the forefront of cutting-edge cardiac care practices.
• Nurses in the CICU collaborate closely with a variety of departments, including the Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Out-patient Clinics, In-patient units, and a multidisciplinary team of physicians, enhancing their expertise and contributing to a comprehensive approach to cardiac health.

How do I become a Critical Care Nurse?

• Enroll in the Critical Care Nursing Course.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority provides sponsorship to current employees who are Registered Nurses and want to take the required Critical Care Nursing Program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. This course is a requirement to work in adult intensive care units. (Pediatric and neo-natal intensive care units have their own dedicated training program.)

Please see the Critical Care Nursing Program Sponsorship poster below for details!

What can I do to prepare to join the Critical Care Nursing team?

• Nursing Students: Request a preceptorship in the ICU
• Gain nursing experience in a Medical/Surgical unit or in Cardio Sciences
• Develop rhythm interpretation skills
• Complete the Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Course and/or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Volunteer or request a job shadow in an ICU

Ready to Join our Team?

To search for our critical care nursing jobs, navigate to the Job Board applicable to your situation.

External Candidates:

Use the link below to the Opportunities Job Board and enter the term “intensive care” in the search field and add a community that matches your preferences. The search engine will show results that include the term in the body of the posting. Critical Care Nursing positions will include the words “Intensive Care” in the “Department” field.

Ex. Department: Combined Medical & Surgical Intensive Care Nursing Unit

Internal Candidates:

Use the link to Current Jobs Board in MyConnection and enter "intensive" in the search field.

Narrow your search with filters. Use the Job Function: "Nursing" and any other filters that match your preferences.