ICU Nurse: In-Demand Specialty for Travel Nursing Jobs

ICU nurses work directly with an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to provide critical care to a hospital’s most unstable patients.

The United States is facing a projected shortage of registered nurses and the need for Intensive Care Unit nurses may be even greater than for those in other specialty areas, as there is an expectation that the aging population will place even greater demands on Intensive Care Units around the country. As a result, it is anticipated that travel ICU nurses will be essential to the way that acute care hospitals manage ICU capacity strain .

ICU travel nurses can earn up to $2,300 a week! Speak to a recruiter today!

What is an ICU Nurse?

ICU nurses are part of the hospital’s critical care team working with the most acute, unstable patients. Because these patients have such demanding care needs, ICU nurses are generally assigned no more than three patients at a time and are frequently assigned 12-hour shifts in order to cut down on caregiver changes.

ICU nurses must have strong critical thinking, leadership and communication skills. They need to carry out procedures while at the same time accommodating the needs of patients and family members. ICU nurses act as advocates and educators as well as caregivers.

Patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are considered medically unstable. Many transfer from the ER, while others come from other departments within the acute care setting like surgery.

ICU nurses are registered nurses who evaluate and monitor patient conditions, administer treatment and provide constant support. Their responsibilities include:

  • Creating and implementing effective care plans
  • Identifying both sudden and subtle changes in their patient’s condition
  • Communicating with physicians, other staff members, and family members
  • Responding to medical emergencies
  • Maintaining patient records
  • Managing medication doses

There are a wide range of medical needs and patient types that require intensive care. ICU nurses can specialize in specific areas such as pediatrics, neonatology, neurology, cardiology, and trauma.

No matter the specialty area, there are specific skills and characteristics that ICU nurses of all types must share. The most obvious are technical skills such as ventilator support, inserting a central line and assessing neurological status.

ICU nurses require a high level of skill and knowledge, and their considerable talents are highly portable. This makes ICU travel nurses extremely valuable to acute care hospitals facing nursing shortages.

ICU nurses must be team players who work well with physicians and other members of the healthcare team to provide patient care, while also having the ability to inform and educate patients and their family members — managing and supporting their expectations and emotions on top of that.

ICU Nurse Salary and Job Growth Potential

ICU nursing is one of the seven highest-paid nursing specialties for registered nurses. According to Indeed.com, the average salary for an ICU nurse in the United States is $138,909.

The average salary for an ICU nurse in the United States is $138,909.

Not only are ICU nurses well compensated, but they are very much in demand. The job growth potential for this high-intensity, high-responsibility role is likely to grow substantially when considering the national nursing shortage and increased use of intensive care units .

As hospitals work to continue providing high-quality care in the face of strained capacity , they will continue to seek more qualified ICU RNs to meet their staffing needs.

Top Paying Cities for ICU Nurses in 2021

According to Indeed.com , here are the best paying cities for ICU nurses in 2021:

  • Los Angeles, CA: $161,204 per year
  • Orlando, FL: $153,170 per year
  • San Antonio, TX: $140,400 per year
  • Philadelphia, PA: $140,325 per year
  • Miami, FL: $135,500 per year

Click here to discover available ICU travel nurse assignments!

ICU Nurse Education Requirements, Certifications, and Professional Groups

ICU nurses are required to have either an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), have passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) , and become a licensed Registered Nurse.

In addition to earning an ADN or BSN, registered nurses interested in becoming ICU nurses need to pursue experience and exposure to the ICU. Many nursing programs offer students the opportunity for an ICU externship during their last year. Other students choose to wait until they graduate to enter New Graduate internship programs . Alternatively, nurses can transition from other care areas into the ICU by applying for an open position and then participating in internal training programs.

The American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) offers several ICU certifications, including the CCRN certification for acute/critical care nurses and additional modules for pediatrics and neonatology. These certifications require renewals , which are granted based on either passing an exam or completing Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPS) through a combination of learning modules, clinical hours, and other activities.

ICU nurses who want to become more closely engaged in their field are encouraged to become involved with the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) , as well as any of these organizations dedicated to providing care to those in need of acute or critical care.

The Pros and Cons of Being an ICU Nurse

Pros of icu nursing.

  • Ability to provide focused nursing care to just one or two patients at a time
  • Being able to see patients go from unstable to stable conditions
  • ICU nurses are highly respected for their critical thinking skills and ability to work under pressure

Cons of ICU Nursing

  • Communications with patients’ families can be challenging
  • High patient morbidity
  • Intense, high-pressure environment

ICU Travel Nursing Jobs

The job of an ICU nurse requires in-depth knowledge of both anatomy and body systems, and the technical equipment that monitors and maintains those systems. Know-how and confidence, along with the ability to think critically and respond rapidly are all key characteristics of an ICU nurse.

As a result of both the national nurse shortage and the high stress and high turnover levels for staff nurses in the ICU, qualified ICU travel nurses are increasingly in high demand.

Experienced ICU travel nurses can choose from a wide range of locations and environments. Hospitals in need of supplemental staff don’t have time to teach inexperienced nurses what they need to know. As a result, ICU travel nurses usually have their pick of travel nursing assignments across the country with competitive salaries that feature exceptional benefits and perks including high pay rates, housing stipends and travel reimbursement.

RNs can earn up to $2,300 a week as a travel nurse. Speak to a recruiter today!

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Don't miss out on your adventure., learn more about travel nursing.

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ICU Nurse Salary By State – (2024 Figures)

icu travel nurse salary texas

Intensive care units (ICUs) are hospital units that provide critically ill or injured patients facing life-threatening complications with highly specialized monitoring and treatment interventions. In order to work in an ICU, a nurse must have specialized skills, and that’s the reason why ICU nurse salary is frequently higher than the salaries of nurses who work in other parts of a hospital. In addition to technical competencies, such as performing or knowing how to assist with central line insertions, working with ventilators, titrating and administering potentially hazardous medications and managing code blues, ICU nurses must be team players with excellent critical thinking and time management skills. How much does an ICU nurse make? This article delves deeply into ICU nurse salary in 2024.

What Is The Salary Per Hour Of An ICU Nurse?

What is the starting salary of an icu nurse, what is the average salary of an icu nurse, icu nurse salary by years of experience, average annual compensation (salary + benefits) for icu nurses, 7 ways you can increase your salary as an icu nurse, 1. work the 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift:, 2. pick up extra shifts:, 3. train as an icu charge nurse:, 4. pursue specialized clinical training:, 5. sign up with a registry:, 6. become a traveling icu nurse:, 7: relocate:, what is the future outlook for icu nurse salary, icu nurse salary comparison, icu nurse salary vs. all other occupations, icu nurse salary vs. similar nursing jobs, icu nurse salary vs. other healthcare jobs, average icu nurse salary in your state, 1. alabama:, 3. arizona:, 4. arkansas:, 5. california:, 6. colorado:, 7. connecticut:, 8. delaware:, 9. florida:, 10. georgia:, 11. hawaii:, 13. illinois:, 14. indiana:, 16. kansas:, 17. kentucky:, 18. louisiana:, 20. maryland:, 21. massachusetts:, 22. michigan:, 23. minnesota:, 24. mississippi:, 25. missouri:, 26. montana:, 27. nebraska:, 28. nevada:, 29. new hampshire:, 30. new jersey:, 31. new mexico:, 32. new york:, 33. north carolina:, 34. north dakota:, 36. oklahoma:, 37. oregon:, 38. pennsylvania:, 39. rhode island:, 40. south carolina:, 41. south dakota:, 42. tennessee:, 45. vermont:, 46. virginia:, 47. washington:, 48. west virginia:, 49. wisconsin:, 50. wyoming:, average icu nurse salary in your city, highest and lowest-paying icu nurse jobs, what are the highest and lowest paying workplaces for icu nurses, what are the highest and lowest paying states for icu nurses, what are the highest and lowest paying cities for icu nurses, what states in the northeast pay the highest and lowest salaries for icu nurses, what states in the midwest pay the highest and lowest salaries for icu nurses, what states in the southeast pay the highest and lowest salaries for icu nurses, what states in the southwest pay the highest and lowest salaries for icu nurses, what states in the western region pay the highest and lowest salaries for icu nurses, my final thoughts.

We have used the following sources to compile the salary data on this page.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY OUR EXPERT

1. is there a high demand for icu nurses, 2. where do icu nurses work, 3. what is the typical work schedule for icu nurses, 4. how satisfied are icu nurses with their jobs.

icu travel nurse salary texas

ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Houston, TX

icu travel nurse salary texas

How much does an ICU Travel Nurse make in Houston, TX?

Travel Nurse RN - ICU - Intensive Care Unit - $2,090 per week

Jackson Nurse Professionals - Mason City, IA

Travel Nurse RN - ICU - Intensive Care Unit - $1,945 per week

Stability Healthcare - Mason City, IA

Travel Nurse RN - ICU - Intensive Care Unit - $1,967 per week

RNnetwork - Mason City, IA

Travel Nurse RN - ICU - Intensive Care Unit - $1,976 per week

Host Healthcare - Mason City, IA

ICU Travel Nurse Salaries by State

Icu travel nurse jobs in houston, tx.

  • Travel ICU Registered Nurse
  • Travel ICU Registered
  • Nurse Manager - ICU
  • Pediatric ICU Nurse
  • Trauma Icu Nurse
  • Icu Nurse Practitioner
  • Icu Registered Nurse
  • Rn Icu Nurse
  • Medical Icu Nurse

IMAGES

  1. ICU Nurse Salary 2023: How Much Do ICU Nurses Make?

    icu travel nurse salary texas

  2. Travel Nurse Salary Guide

    icu travel nurse salary texas

  3. The Best-paying States for Nurses in 2021

    icu travel nurse salary texas

  4. Highest Paying States for Travel Nurses

    icu travel nurse salary texas

  5. Nurse Salary 2021: How Much Do Registered Nurses Make?

    icu travel nurse salary texas

  6. ICU Travel Nurse Career Guide

    icu travel nurse salary texas

VIDEO

  1. Top Paying Travel Nurse Contracts in 2023

COMMENTS

  1. Salary: Icu Travel Nurse in Texas (March, 2024)

    How much does an Icu Travel Nurse make in Texas? As of Mar 21, 2024, the average weekly pay for an Icu Travel Nurse in Texas is $2,113 a week. While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $3,225 and as low as $717, the majority of Icu Travel Nurse salaries currently range between $1,863 (25th percentile) to $2,561 (75th percentile) in Texas.

  2. Average Travel Intensive Care Unit Nurse Salary in Texas

    The average salary for a Travel Intensive Care Unit Nurse in Texas is $1,913 per week. This is 13% lower than the US average of $2,167. Last updated on April 4, 2024.

  3. ICU Nurse Salary in Texas

    The average ICU Nurse salary in Texas is $83,200 as of March 26, 2024, but the salary range typically falls between $75,000 and $90,400. ... Travel Nurse RN - ICU - Intensive Care Unit - $2,569 per week LanceSoft - Crescent City, CA. Apply Now Travel Nurse RN - ICU - Intensive Care Unit - $2,152 per week ...

  4. Travel ICU Nurse Jobs in Texas

    The average salary for an ICU Nurse in Texas is $1,954 per week. This is 11% lower than the US average of $2,162. Last updated on April 23, 2024. Based on 402 active jobs on Vivian.com in the last 7 days. Explore all travel ICU Nurse salary insights.

  5. Salary: ICU Travel Nurse in Texas, US 2024

    The average salary for an ICU Travel Nurse is $99,035 per year in Texas, US. Click here to see the total pay, recent salaries shared and more!

  6. Travel Nurse Salaries in Texas for Travel Nursing

    Travel Nurse weekly salaries in Texas at Travel Nursing. Job Title. Travel Nurse. Location. Texas. Average salary. $2,730. Select pay period per week. 34%. Above national average. Average $2,730. ... Registered Nurse - ICU. $3,993 per week. 22 salaries reported. Registered Nurse - Medical/Surgical. $3,026 per week. 26 salaries reported.

  7. New Icu RN Travel Jobs in Texas (Apply Today)

    TRAVEL RN / Registered Nurse / ICU RN / Intensive Care Nurse. Aureus Medical Group 3.9. Dallas, TX 75215. $1,399 - $1,507 a week. Contract. 12 hour shift. Easily apply. Some of the industry-leading benefits enjoyed by Aureus Medical Group travel nurses and travel allied healthcare professionals include: ~$1399.00-$1507.00/wk*.

  8. Apply for Travel Icu Nurse Jobs in Texas Today

    Travel Nurse - Medical ICU (MICU) RN $2196/wk. Nomad Health 3.3. Abilene, TX 79608. $2,196 a week. Travel nursing. Nomad Health seeks an experienced Medical ICU (MICU) registered nurse for a travel assignment in TX. Take the next step in your healthcare career and join Nomad….

  9. Average Travel Cardiovascular ICU Nurse Salary in Texas

    The average salary for a Travel Cardiovascular ICU Nurse in Texas is $1,908 per week. This is 15% lower than the US average of $2,201. Last updated on March 18, 2024. Based on 197 active jobs on Vivian.com in the last 7 days.

  10. Salary: Icu Travel Nurse in United States 2024

    The estimated total pay for a ICU Travel Nurse is $136,172 per year in the United States area, with an average salary of $114,349 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated additional pay is $21,824 ...

  11. ICU Nurse: Travel Nursing Jobs, Salary, and Education Requirements

    ICU nursing is one of the seven highest-paid nursing specialties for registered nurses. According to Indeed.com, the average salary for an ICU nurse in the United States is $138,909. The average salary for an ICU nurse in the United States is $138,909. Not only are ICU nurses well compensated, but they are very much in demand.

  12. ICU RN Salary in Texas

    The average ICU RN salary in Texas is $83,888 as of February 26, 2024, but the salary range typically falls between $75,843 and $91,210. ... Atlas MedStaff is seeking a travel nurse RN ICU - Intensive Care Unit for a travel nursing job in Terre Haute, Indiana. Job Description & Requirements * Specialty: ICU - Intensive Care Unit

  13. Salary: Icu Rn in Texas, US 2024

    The estimated total pay for a RN ICU is $97,094 per year in the Texas area, with an average salary of $87,575 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated additional pay is $9,519 per year.

  14. ICU Nurse Salary By State

    The average ICU nurse salary in Texas is $32.50 an hour, $5,630 a month or $67,590 a year, but there's a great deal of salary variation from area to area throughout the state from a high of 11 percent above average in the Greater Houston Metropolitan Region to a low of 13 percent below average in the area around Corpus Christi.

  15. ICU Travel Nurse Salary

    An ICU Travel Nurse's salary can be paid hourly, weekly or monthly depending on the company and job type. Most part-time jobs will be paid hourly or weekly. Using the salary calculator, the average pay comes out to be about $47 an hour, $1,873/week, or $8,116/month. The average salary of an ICU Travel Nurse ranges from $86,986 to $109,934.

  16. Registered nurse

    The average salary for a Registered Nurse - ICU is $1,933 per week in Texas. Learn about salaries, benefits, salary satisfaction and where you could earn the most. ... Registered nurse - ICU salary in Texas How much does a Registered Nurse - ICU make in Texas? ... Travel Nurses Inc. 4.9. 20 reviews 174 salaries reported. $2,097 per week.

  17. ICU Nurse Jobs in Texas

    Vivian has the best ICU Nurse jobs in Texas. Join today and find your next ICU Nurse job. ... The average salary for an ICU Nurse in Texas is $44.66 per hour. ... More ICU Nurse Jobs. Texas Travel ICU Nurse Jobs; Texas Local Contract ICU Nurse Jobs; 100 Pine St., Ste. 1250 (PMB A140) San Francisco, CA 94111. App Store; Google Play;

  18. ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Houston, TX

    An ICU Travel Nurse's salary in Houston, TX can be paid hourly, weekly, or monthly depending on the company and job type. Most part-time jobs will be paid hourly or weekly. Using the salary calculator, the average pay comes out to be about $37 an hour or $1,462/week, or $6,337/month.