Certification & Licensure for ICU Nurses
ICU nurses must hold an active registered nurse license in the state where they plan to work. Many ICU RN jobs require Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), along with recent critical care experience. Depending on the facility, unit, and patient population, additional certifications may include the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), or Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC). Some employers may also prefer specialty credentials such as Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification.
Nurses with a multistate license can practice in participating Nurse Licensure Compact states, opening up more travel RN ICU positions without obtaining a new license for each compact state. Nurses working outside the compact may need individual state licensure, and your recruiter can help you understand the requirements before you submit to a job.
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As your healthcare career partner, we connect ICU nurses with jobs that value their experience, support their goals, and fit the way they want to work.
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