Critical care nursing is a field of nursing that practices predominantly in intensive care and emergency units. Critical care nurses are equipped to handle critically ill patients, often specializing in a particular aspect of critical illness, such as cardiac care, to provide the best care for patients who are seriously ill or injured.

In addition to caring for the physical health of patients, critical care nurses must deal with the emotional health of patients as they cope with their conditions, as well as working with family members to make the best health care decisions for the patients. The nurses usually work with a team of health care professionals to develop a patient's care plan. Communication is imperative in critical care nursing; in addition, a nurse must be prepared for adapting a patient's care quickly based on the patient's health.


Critical Care Nursing Theories and Models

• Erickson's Modeling and Role Modeling Theory
• King's Theory of Goal Attainment
• Neuman's Systems Model
• Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory
• Orlando's Nursing Process Discipline Theory
• Peplau's Theory of Interpersonal Relations
• Parse's Human Becoming Theory
• Rogers' Theory of Unitary Human Beings
• Roy's Adaptation Model of Nursing
• Kolcaba's Theory of Comfort
• Watson's Philosophy and Science of Caring
• Nightingale's Environment Theory
• Pender's Health Promotion Model
• Roper-Logan-Tierney's Model for Nursing Based on a Model of Living
• Henderson's Nursing Need Theory