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Job outlook for intensive care unit nurses in the United States
Intensive care unit nurse job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected intensive care unit nurse job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 195,400 new jobs for intensive care unit nurses are projected over the next decade.
Intensive care unit nurse salaries have increased 10% for intensive care unit nurses in the last 5 years.
There are over 63,449 intensive care unit nurses currently employed in the United States.
There are 611,699 active intensive care unit nurse job openings in the US.
The average intensive care unit nurse salary is $79,483.
Are intensive care unit nurse jobs in demand?
Intensive Care Unit Nurse job and salary trends over time
Intensive Care Unit Nurse jobs over time
Intensive Care Unit Nurse job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 63,449 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 62,178 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 62,090 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 61,459 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 60,520 | 0.02% |
Average intensive care unit nurse salary over time
Intensive Care Unit Nurse salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $79,483 | $38.21 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $77,341 | $37.18 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $75,684 | $36.39 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $73,859 | $35.51 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $72,223 | $34.72 | +1.4% |
Intensive Care Unit Nurse jobs by state
Most common states for intensive care unit nurses
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 1,658 | 123% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 1,046 | 120% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 835 | 111% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 694 | 111% |
| 5 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 1,420 | 106% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 942 | 98% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 6,544 | 95% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 1,000 | 95% |
| 9 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 1,829 | 88% |
| 10 | Alaska | 739,795 | 646 | 87% |
| 11 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 605 | 87% |
| 12 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 2,547 | 81% |
| 13 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 1,404 | 77% |
| 14 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 5,056 | 76% |
| 15 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 8,577 | 74% |
| 16 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 2,153 | 74% |
| 17 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 15,367 | 73% |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 9,318 | 73% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 1,398 | 73% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 423 | 73% |
Most common cities for intensive care unit nurses
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colton | 10 | 18% | $105,237 |
| 2 | Prescott | 5 | 12% | $84,653 |
| 3 | Pflugerville | 6 | 10% | $72,591 |
| 4 | Cedar Park | 6 | 9% | $72,610 |
| 5 | Round Rock | 9 | 7% | $72,592 |
| 6 | Silver Spring | 5 | 7% | $78,524 |
| 7 | Rochester | 8 | 4% | $90,153 |
| 8 | Charleston | 6 | 4% | $73,615 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 14 | 3% | $85,093 |
| 10 | Riverside | 5 | 2% | $105,180 |
| 11 | Stockton | 5 | 2% | $108,113 |
| 12 | Austin | 11 | 1% | $72,620 |
| 13 | Philadelphia | 10 | 1% | $82,942 |
| 14 | Baltimore | 9 | 1% | $78,936 |
| 15 | Dallas | 9 | 1% | $72,496 |
| 16 | Boston | 7 | 1% | $102,012 |
| 17 | Tucson | 6 | 1% | $84,359 |
| 18 | El Paso | 5 | 1% | $74,271 |
| 19 | Houston | 10 | 0% | $72,480 |
| 20 | Los Angeles | 7 | 0% | $105,881 |
Intensive Care Unit Nurse job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of intensive care unit nurse experts
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg
California State University - Chico
Meharry Medical College
Molloy College
The University of Tampa
Hartwick College
Shepherd University
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Stephen F Austin State University
Prairie View A & M University
Loyola University New Orleans
Mars Hill University
Missouri State University
New York University
What will help Intensive Care Unit Nurses increase their earning potential?
Dr. Cynthia Aurentz DNP, MSN, RN, CNE: There is a wide range in salaries across nursing roles so be the best you can, wherever you land. Pursue certifications in your specialty and gain experience so that you are prepared for mobility across varying roles. Advanced practice roles require more school and if that seems intriguing, research the different specialties. Nurse anesthesia is one of the highest paying nursing roles but it is also one of the most competitive. If that is a goal, get as much critical care experience as you can and make friends with the admission coordinators at prospective schools—let them know how important it is to you!
Krystyna Tabor
Assistant ProfessorNorthwestern State University of Louisiana
Allied Health And Medical Assisting Services
What general advice would you give to an Intensive Care Unit Nurse?
Krystyna Tabor: This question is too hard to answer. The right question is "what doesn't a nurse do on a day-to-day basis?". People have an idea of what nurses do. However, only nurses know what they actually do and under what conditions they do it. The list is way too long.
Dr. Robert Doerfler PhD, CRNP
Associate Teaching Professor of Nursing & NLN Certified Nurse EducatorPennsylvania State University - Harrisburg
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What Intensive Care Unit Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Robert Doerfler PhD, CRNP: I would strongly recommend that new graduates consider carefully the structure and duration of orientation or onboarding. Many hospitals are understaffed and new nurses are often being rushed through shortened orientations/residencies in an effort to relieve those staffing shortfalls. Duration and expected benchmarks for achievement should be available in writing as you consider your first job offer. If possible, ask to spend a few hours or shifts with the unit you are thinking about joining: Observe how the nurses treat each other and the ancillary staff. Do they seem mutually supportive? Is there a lot of gossipy talk? How does the morale seem? These social issues can become quite distressing to the new grad, and can result in dissatisfaction and premature departure due to emotional stress.
What will help Intensive Care Unit Nurses increase their earning potential?
Dr. Robert Doerfler PhD, CRNP: Facility with telehealth will become more important, as health systems develop better follow up of discharged patients in order to reduce readmissions. Recognizing clinical deterioration and knowing when to speak up about it, and to whom, will become more important as health care systems become more consolidated, and as they continue to experience shortages of RNs (especially as more states pass minimum staffing laws). Developing skills in research ("evidence-based practice"), collaboration with colleagues in councils and committees, and unit-based advocacy will become more important as a counterweight to the prerogatives of non-clinical administrators seeking to boost efficiencies, cut costs, and control risk: Advocating for patients is important, but advocating for your unit's needs also advocates for your patients as a class of people with particular needs.
What general advice would you give to an Intensive Care Unit Nurse?
Rich Burton DNP, RN, CMSRN: Often new graduates become hyper focused on working in a specialty unit for example ER, ICU, or NICU etc. I recommend instead focus on finding great hospitals that have extensive training programs and you want to work for. You will always have an opportunity to change positions within the hospital once you have a few year’s experience. A great hospital with adequate staffing and training will provide a much more supportive learning environment as you transition from student nurse to professional nurse.
What Intensive Care Unit Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rich Burton DNP, RN, CMSRN: Most hospitals have set rates for nurses but if you are looking to maximize your salary, I would say location location location. Certain areas of the country pay more than others, be willing to move to maximize your earning potential. Hospitals might also pay more for certifications or a bachelor’s degree as well.
Olugbemiga Ogunkua M.D., Ph.D.
ProfessorMeharry Medical College
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
What general advice would you give to an Intensive Care Unit Nurse?
Olugbemiga Ogunkua M.D., Ph.D.: 2. Ability to learn about new inventions. Computer has changed the field tremendously and knowledge comes at a fast and furry pace so you need to keep up with new knowledge and be able to discriminate about what is useful and relevant from what is not useful though may be novella. Mountains of new information can easily lead to confusion. Learn to know the rules first, before you embark with the new fag in town.
Normadeane Armstrong PhD, RN, ANP-BC
ProfessorMolloy College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What general advice would you give to an Intensive Care Unit Nurse?
Normadeane Armstrong PhD, RN, ANP-BC: Starting a career in nursing can be both exciting and intimidating. Some general advice for new nursing graduates embarking on their professional journey may include: Never Stop Learning, Develop Strong Communication Skills, Cultivate Critical Thinking, Prioritize Self-Care, Build a Strong Support System.
What Intensive Care Unit Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Normadeane Armstrong PhD, RN, ANP-BC: Technological Proficiency, Cultural Competence, Focus on Preventive Care and Health Promotion, Interprofessional Collaboration.
What will help Intensive Care Unit Nurses increase their earning potential?
Dr. MaryAnn D'Alesandro DNP, MSN, RN, CNOR, NI-BC, CNE: As a graduate and new RN, the salaries are competitive in the general areas. If you choose to specialize such as the OR, ER, ICU etc., or if you choose night shifts and weekends opposed to day shift, you could see the rates increase by several dollars an hour. Keep in mind that if you do not get a position in the area that you most want, for example labor and delivery, getting in the door of the hospital that you want to work at is most important. Getting your foot in the door is the opportunity. Most hospitals hire and promote from within, so that when a position opens in the area you truly want to work, you are in a better position to obtain it than someone who is not already a committed employee.
What Intensive Care Unit Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lorena Marra MS, FNP-C: For any graduate novice nurse, I would say to start your career in a facility that is comfortable for you. Perhaps it is somewhere that you were able to have good clinical experiences in, or perhaps a facility that you have been working in while you were in school. That familiarity is always helpful when you are getting started and taking on the new role of graduate nurse. It is also good to start in a facility with a nurse residency program. These programs will help the new nurse with skills that they have not been able to do in school. For example-starting intravenous lines or doing blood draws. Another tip would be to hold off on doing travel nurse experiences until you have more clinical work under your belt. When traveling, you need to be at the top of your skills, so take time to reach that pinnacle before heading off. The same can be said of starting graduate school. Some real-world clinical experience before starting NP school is incredibly helpful. Be patient with yourself as you get started in your new and exciting career.
What will help Intensive Care Unit Nurses increase their earning potential?
Lorena Marra MS, FNP-C: The skills that will be more important as the field of nursing continues are those that will prepare the nurse for patients with higher acuity (they are sicker!). Nurses will have to continue to integrate knowledge from other sciences into nursing science-understanding chemistry, biology, psychology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, sociology, and others in order to make the best clinical decisions for the patient. Nurses will need to expand patient-centered care to focus on multiple factors, not just the specific health need, but psychological considerations as well as financial needs. Nursing should also look to continuing care beyond the usual space and incorporate ideas of community health in their care. Nurses will need to use research skills to help advance health care and improve health outcomes for all. Nurses will need to use advanced technology to help support efforts to improve patient safety and quality care outcomes. Nurses also need to continue to uphold the legal and ethical considerations that they have in the past.
Lisa Zerull PhD, RN-BC
Assistant Professor of NursingShepherd University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What Intensive Care Unit Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lisa Zerull PhD, RN-BC: As a new RN begins their nursing career my advice includes: 1. Shadow on the unit where you think you want to work and explore the unit culture, leadership and communications styles, and overall RN staff satisfaction 2. Choose wisely for your first RN position—too many nurses leave the field within the first year. 3. Recognize that nursing in hospitals requires mostly 12 hour day and night, weekend and holiday work requirements—pay your dues—you are needed. Then decide where is best fit for work/life balance. 4. Create realistic strategies for your own self care. 5. Explore job opportunities in hospitals providing a quality nurse residency program 6. Find a mentor (not your manager or supervisor) to guide and support you throughout your career 7. While you may pursue a specialized area such as emergency room, critical care, and labor and delivery, remember that 80% of all patients in hospitals are older adults age 60-80. Medical/surgical nursing IS a nursing specialty and provides a solid foundation of nursing care and skills to transition to ANY setting or specialty. 8. Be responsible and accountable for your actions including work attendance; positive conflict resolution and problem solving; being a change agent to enhance nursing practice or for positive change; and choose NOT to become part of a negative group of co-workers who complain about everything and don't work toward positive change.
What general advice would you give to an Intensive Care Unit Nurse?
Dr. Cindy Krentz DNP, RN, ACUE: Nursing is undoubtedly a challenging profession. The emotional toll of caring for patients, especially when outcomes aren't favorable, can be heavy. The physical demands, from lifting patients to long shifts on nurses’ feet, add another layer of difficulty. Workplace violence and dealing with rude or demanding patients further compound these challenges. Moreover, the feeling of being under-appreciated can wear on nurses, especially considering the critical role they play in healthcare. Improving nurse-to-patient ratios and addressing the root causes of workplace stress are essential steps toward ensuring both nurses and patients receive the care they deserve.
Wendy Bowles PhD, APRN-CNP, CNE
Associate Clinical Professor, Associate Dean for Baccalaureate ProgramsWhat general advice would you give to an Intensive Care Unit Nurse?
Wendy Bowles PhD, APRN-CNP, CNE: To maximize your salary potential you should consider going back to school and pursuing your doctorate degree from a high quality, reputable institution. There are many programs that offer BSN to doctorate pathways and that will enhance earnings potential.
Dr. Erin Bailey DNP, APRN, FNP-C
MSN CoordinatorStephen F Austin State University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What general advice would you give to an Intensive Care Unit Nurse?
Dr. Erin Bailey DNP, APRN, FNP-C: Empathy and grit. Nurses definitely need empathy to care for patients but COVID and the changes in the world have taught us that new nurses need grit and self-care. Burn-out is a real thing. Nurses need to think about and advocate for their own safety and health-mental and physical. Take a self-defense class and learn de-escalation tips. Be aware of your surroundings. Do not get trapped in a room by yourself with an aggressive agitate patient. Also, do not work seven 12 hour shifts in a row as a new nurse. It is not healthy for you. Find a nurse that you can decompress and debrief with. Most new nurses burn-out in less than 10 years. This is the key to longevity in this field and will allow you to increase your earning potential.
What general advice would you give to an Intensive Care Unit Nurse?
Allyssa Harris RN, PhD, WHNP-BC: Daily, nurses with the health care team to manage and coordinate patient care which include physical assessments-assessing, observing, and evaluating the patient's response to care, administering medication and treatments, assisting with procedures, and providing health education to patients and their families. Additionally, nurses often supervise other unlicensed health care team members including licensed vocational nurses, patient care technicians (PCTs) and nursing students.
What will help Intensive Care Unit Nurses increase their earning potential?
Allyssa Harris RN, PhD, WHNP-BC: I can't speak for everyone but what I like about being a nurse is the ability to connect one on one with the patient and their family. Patients allow us the privilege of providing care and comfort during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. It is the connection that we share that is the most rewarding. I believe that is this care and education that provides patients with the opportunity to make knowledgeable decisions about their health and well-being. What is most challenging about nursing is the increasing complexity of the patient care provide. Often patients enter the health care system later, having delayed care variety or reasons including lack of access, socio-economic challenges, unawareness, etc. This often increases the complexity of the care needed and nurses are required to have a broad knowledge of many things. I wouldn't say that they dislike the nursing profession, but the work is challenging.
What Intensive Care Unit Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alison Alaimo MSN, RN: Nurses spend their days or nights assisting clients and their loved ones on their healthcare journeys. They possess a variety of tools and knowledge in which to do this. They assess and monitor patients, which is often a very dynamic process. They are trained to provide emergency response treatment. They administer medications and perform various aspects of patient care. They provide education to patients and loved ones and advocate for patients' rights and needs. Nurses maintained detailed documentation on all information pertaining to patients. They also work closely as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. Finally, they also maintain their own professional development as changes in healthcare are frequent and/or they are interested in pursuing advanced degrees or certifications. Nurses work tirelessly to promote positive patient outcomes
Dr. Karen Macey-Stewart DNP, A-GNP-C, PMGT-BC
Undergraduate Program Director, Professor of PracticeWhat general advice would you give to an Intensive Care Unit Nurse?
Dr. Karen Macey-Stewart DNP, A-GNP-C, PMGT-BC: As a new graduate student, it can be overwhelming to start your professional career. My first piece of advice is to be kind to yourself. It takes time to master all the clinical skills and judgment you learned in school. Secondly, give yourself some grace when facing challenges in understanding why a client or healthcare team member is difficult. Remember that you will be caring for people during the most vulnerable times of their lives. Finally, prioritize self-care by taking the time to recharge. Providing the best care for your clients is essential, and you shouldn't feel guilty about it. I always tell the students," Always remember to put your oxygen mask on first before helping others."
What general advice would you give to an Intensive Care Unit Nurse?
Natalie Heywood DNP, RN, CNE: I encourage new graduate nurses to embrace their first role and lean into the opportunity they have to ask questions, ask for more time on certain skills or patients, and make connections with their RN colleagues to develop mentorship relationships. I also recommend that new graduate nurses create a community both within their clinical setting with fellow new grads, experienced nurses/mentors, and other healthcare team members, as well as at home create that same community to support them. The first few years of a new nurses career lays the foundation for the rest of their career, so it's important to give yourself grace as you learn & build your confidence. A final piece of advice is to prioritize your mental health and well-being. You can't take care of others if you neglect yourself so find ways to balance your needs with the demands of your job, family and other responsibilities. This will be so important throughout your entire career, not just at the beginning.
What will help Intensive Care Unit Nurses increase their earning potential?
Natalie Heywood DNP, RN, CNE: I think one of the most important and prevalent skills that will be prevalent in the next 3-5 years in nursing is the ability to communicate with patients in a therapeutic manner that supports trust and mutual respect. Additionally, a skill that will be vital to current and future nurses is the ability to provide individualized care. Our patient populations are increasingly complex and unique, and it will be important for health providers to care for all individuals based on their needs and where they are at the moment. Lastly, as we see the increase of technology and AI use in healthcare, we need to be technology proficient and confident, as well as flexible in the use of these tools to improve patient care.
Michelle Collins Ph.D., CNM, RNC-EFM, FACNM, FAAN, FNAP
Dean and ProfessorLoyola University New Orleans
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What general advice would you give to an Intensive Care Unit Nurse?
Michelle Collins Ph.D., CNM, RNC-EFM, FACNM, FAAN, FNAP: Be flexible in regard to job opportunities. There may not be the exact position with the desired hours in the one unit in which you are interested in working (or that dream job may be available!) But keep your mind open, and go into your first job with an open mind. This is also good advice through your career as you never know what opportunities may come your way. Most of the opportunities that I have greatly enjoyed in nursing came as a result of just being open to new options and trying new things even if I wasn't sure at first that I would enjoy that opportunity.
What Intensive Care Unit Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michelle Collins Ph.D., CNM, RNC-EFM, FACNM, FAAN, FNAP: As mentioned in my first response, flexibility is an absolute must have quality to make it in the nursing profession. Your work day will hardly ever go as expected; being able to pivot and change course at a moment's notice, and not allow change to totally unnerve you is a great quality to have. Another is the ability to multitask well. This may take some practice but it's a necessity for a nurse to be able to capably juggle numerous tasks at one time. Technical expertise will also become increasingly important given the nurse's use of electronic medical records. Lastly, resilience is of utmost importance for a nurse to have. New nurses are leaving the field at an alarming rate much earlier in their career than in the past. Nursing required resilience to survive. I can promise anyone going into nursing that it is indeed the most difficult job you could ever have - and also the most rewarding.
What will help Intensive Care Unit Nurses increase their earning potential?
Michelle Collins Ph.D., CNM, RNC-EFM, FACNM, FAAN, FNAP: Currently new nurses will be starting their first jobs making a salary that is much more competitive in the market than was the case in the past. Most health systems have set salary schedules for all nurses based on experience so you may not have the ability to negotiate a salary. But work satisfaction goes beyond pay. Look closely at the healthcare benefits, investment plan participation ability, other perks like gym membership support, tuition support for graduate school, etc. in addition to the work hours. Examining a job proposal should be a comprehensive look at not only salary, but the benefits as well.
Clare Chambers
Assistant Professor of NursingMars Hill University
Nursing Department
What skills stand out on Intensive Care Unit Nurse resumes?
Clare Chambers: Skills that typically stand out on RN resumes include special certifications such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Acute/Critical Care Nursing (CCRN). Managers also tend to pay attention to applicants who have volunteer experience or are members of nursing organizations within their educational programs or nationally. Other useful skills include any previous electronic medical record experience or working at the bedside previously as a certified nurse assistant if the nurse is newly licensed.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Intensive Care Unit Nurses?
Clare Chambers: Technical skills are critical for safe and effective nursing care. Some essential skills include the ability to safely start an IV, give oral medications, administer subcutaneous and intramuscular injections, take vital signs, do a thorough head-to-toe assessment, chart effectively, and utilize emergency safety equipment. Hard skills, in addition to foundational skills required for every nursing job, are going to be tailored to the specific specialty chosen by each nurse and that area of practice.
Dr. Monika Feeney
Department Head for the School of Anesthesia and School of NursingMissouri State University
School of Nursing
What skills stand out on Intensive Care Unit Nurse resumes?
Dr. Monika Feeney: Firstly to be a nurse, you have to pass multiple skills and technical duties to even be allowed to practice - one is not more important than another since all are patient care skills, and our graduates are taught to be safe providers. In addition, you have to pass a challenging board examination, the NCLEX. You need to be well-rounded and have technical skills as well as the mental capacity to assess and make safe decisions. Resilience and the ability to function safely in an ever-changing healthcare system are important. A kind and caring attitude with a hardworking spirit are what makes a great nurse. The ability to empathize and think on your feet is always important - not just during the current COVID situation. Hands that give kind care as well as a heart that cares.
Advanced practice skills/certifications generally increase your income potential.
What skills will help Intensive Care Unit Nurses earn the most?
Dr. Monika Feeney: Advanced practice skills/certifications generally increase your income potential.
What skills stand out on Intensive Care Unit Nurse resumes?
Beth Latimer: Stand-out skills on RN resumes include exposure and competence in public health framed nursing competencies. These include excellence in contextual, patient-centered, clinical care with health promotion, risk reduction expertise. Interprofessional educational experiences are sought after and highly regarded as working with high-performing interprofessional teams needed to plan, deliver, and improve outcomes with patient center care at the forefront is not only beneficial to patients and families but will improve patient outcomes in the long run. Expertise in navigating the health records system and documenting appropriately certainly helps the RN spend more time at the bedside rather than spending lots of time figuring out the electronic health record. At NYU Meyers, we implemented and are utilizing Epic as the electronic health record. Epic is widely utilized in the majority of health systems, and this certainly gives our patients an upper hand since they are continuously utilizing this in simulation. The students are then able to navigate this exact system in the clinical setting and are able to spend less time looking for the right page to document in since they are already familiar with this system.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Intensive Care Unit Nurses?
Beth Latimer: Technical skills are important to master. However, this happens more so "on the job" rather than at graduation. Only practice makes perfect when mastering a skill, and having daily interactions with patients will develop those hard technical skills necessary for success.
What skills will help Intensive Care Unit Nurses earn the most?
Beth Latimer: Critical thinking, prioritization, carefully assessing any situation at the appropriate time, not normalizing the abnormal, and escalating necessary crucial information to the team at that right moment in time will save lives. Great nurses notice, and when in doubt, will take the right actions to get the right type of intervention for their patients and their families with patient advocacy at the forefront.