IGNOU
- Fees: ₹ 6500
What is Critical Care Nursing
The profession of nursing has been evolving. The role in itself is a very broad one. Providing care for the unhealthy, advocating for health promotion and educating on the prevention of injury and illness are some of the traits that make this profession a noble one. Critical care Nursing is the field of nursing wherein the focus is on critically ill or unstable patients, that is, people suffering from extensive injury or life-threatening diseases. It is a very challenging area.
A critical care nurse is a licensed professional who ensures that such patients and their family members receive the best kind of nursing care. Professionals from this course also take care of pre- and post-operative patients. They are also known as ICU (Intensive Care Unit) nurses. More than half of the critical care nurses work in Cardiac care units, Cardiac catheter labs, Emergency departments, ICUs, Pediatric ICUs, Progressive care units, Recovery rooms and Telemetry units.
Nurses can enter critical care immediately after obtaining a license/degree, or they can transition into this speciality after years of practice. Most of them are usually registered nurses (RN) with some additional training in Critical Care nursing.
Critical Care Nursing Course Highlights
| Particulars | Values |
|---|---|
| Course Level | Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Diploma, Certificate |
| Eligibility | B.Sc Nursing / GNM + Clinical Experience (often 1–2 years preferred) |
| Admission Process | Merit-based / Entrance exam (varies by institute) |
| Popular Entrance Exams | AIIMS Entrance, PGIMER, JIPMER, NEIGRIHMS |
| Course Duration | 6 months to 2 years |
| Work Areas | ICUs, NICUs, CCUs, Trauma Centres, Emergency Rooms |
| Certifications | ACLS, BLS (Basic Life Support), Critical Care Nursing Certificate |
| Average Salary | Rs. 3.5 – Rs. 8 LPA (may vary based on experience and hospital) |
| Top Recruiters | AIIMS, Fortis, Apollo, Max Healthcare, Global Hospitals, Military Hospitals |
| Career Opportunities | ICU Nurse, Emergency Room Nurse, Trauma Nurse, Cardiac ICU Nurse |
Degrees and Certifications Related to Critical Care Nursing
Critical care nurses are the frontline heroes in medical crises. This role offers a high degree of job satisfaction, skill development, and emotional fulfilment. There are various courses related to critical care nursing. Here is a list of some degrees-
| B.Sc Nursing (Basic eligibility for entering the critical care field) | PG Certificate in Critical Care Nursing |
| Post Basic B.Sc Nursing | Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing |
| M.Sc in Critical Care Nursing | Postgraduate Diploma in Critical Care Nursing |
Top Colleges Offering Critical Care Nursing Courses in India
Here is a detailed list of the top colleges offering Critical Care Nursing courses in India, categorised into Government and Private Institutions:
| Colleges | Fees |
|---|---|
| - | |
| - | |
| - | |
| - | |
| - | |
| - | |
| Rs. 65,000 | |
| Rs. 6,000 | |
| - | |
| Rs. 3.99 Lakhs |
Top Private Colleges Offering Critical Care Nursing Courses in India
Here is a list of the top private colleges offering Critical Care Nursing courses in India, known for their quality training, clinical exposure, and job placement support in intensive and critical care.
| Colleges | Fees |
|---|---|
| Rs. 4.31 Lakhs | |
| - | |
| Rs. 2.72 Lakhs | |
| Rs. 4.03 Lakhs | |
| Rs. 9 Lakhs | |
| - | |
| - | |
| Rs. 75,000 | |
| Rs. 2.42 Lakhs | |
| Rs. 2 Lakhs |
Top Government Colleges Offering Critical Care Nursing Courses in India
Government colleges are known for their advanced medical infrastructure, expert faculty, and intensive care clinical exposure. Government colleges have lower fees compared to private colleges. Here is the list of some best colleges-
| Colleges | Fees |
|---|---|
| - | |
| - | |
| - | |
| - | |
| Rs. 2,710 |
Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Critical Care Nursing
Critical care nurses are highly trained professionals who work closely with doctors and other medical staff to ensure rapid responses to medical emergencies. The eligibility criteria can vary from college to college. Nevertheless, here is a broad overview of minimum requirements for the various courses.
| Course Level | Minimum Qualification | Registration and Experience Required |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Course | GNM / B.Sc Nursing / Post Basic B.Sc Nursing | Registered Nurse & Midwife experience-6 months to 1 year preferred |
| Diploma / PG Diploma | GNM / B.Sc Nursing / Post Basic B.Sc Nursing | RNRM with State Nursing Council experience- 1 year clinical experience (ICU preferred) |
| M.Sc in Critical Care Nursing | B.Sc Nursing / Post Basic B.Sc Nursing (Min. 55%) | RNRM with State Nursing Council experience- 1 year experience (some top institutes may waive) |
| Online Certificate Courses | GNM or B.Sc Nursing | Registration preferred (not always mandatory) experience- Not always mandatory, but recommended |
Critical Care Nursing Top Entrance Exams
For certification in Critical Care Nursing, most of the institutes take direct admission while some may conduct their own entrance tests. For Bachelor’s and Master’s in Nursing, some of the well-known entrance exams are:
| Exam Name | Conducting Body |
|---|---|
| NEET | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| CENTAC | state-level combined exam |
| SAAT | university-level exam |
College Predictors VIEW ALL
Scope of Critical Care Nursing in India and Abroad
With the expansion of the healthcare industry and increasing awareness of people, Medical courses are the hot seats amongst various courses. Individuals, after completing this course, will have a plethora of job opportunities to explore. While most of them work in Intensive Care Units in Private or government hospitals, some might even make a career as educators in nursing colleges or training institutes. The latter usually happens after having gained a lot of experience.
This is a professional course, which eventually ensures a salary at the end of its completion. Not only this, but the hospitals also offer compensation and insurance to the nurses and their immediate families, which not all people might be able to afford on their own.
The present ratio of nurse-patient is a humiliating one, but with this pandemic, the importance of healthcare professionals is out in the open. The demand for such professionals is going to rise exponentially in the future, and so will their remuneration. The opportunities for qualified Critical Care nurses are vast and are available abroad as well.
Course Fees Critical Care Nursing
| Minimum Fees | Maximum Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | Government | Private | Government | |
| UG |
1.50 Lakhs
B.Sc. in Critical Care Nursing at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai
|
---
Data not available
|
4.31 Lakhs
B.Sc. in Critical Care Nursing at The Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati
|
---
Data not available
|
| PG |
48.00 K
M.Voc. in Critical Care Nursing at NIILM University, Kaithal
|
2.71 K
M.Sc. in Critical Care Nursing at All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi
|
4.25 Lakhs
M.Sc. in Critical Care Nursing at Himalayan College of Nursing, Dehradun
|
15.60 K
P.G.D in Critical Care Nursing at Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati
|
| DOCTORAL |
60.00 K
Ph.D in Critical Care Nursing at SunRise University, Alwar
|
2.71 Lakhs
D.M. in Critical Care Nursing at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai
|
66.00 Lakhs
D.M. in Critical Care Nursing at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai
|
2.71 Lakhs
D.M. in Critical Care Nursing at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai
|
| DIPLOMA |
20.00 K
Diploma in Critical Care Nursing at Baby Memorial College of Nursing, Calicut
|
6.00 K
Diploma in Critical Care Nursing at Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
|
4.00 Lakhs
Diploma in Critical Care Nursing at Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut
|
6.00 K
Diploma in Critical Care Nursing at Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
|
Course Subjects
Diploma in Nursing- Subjects
Here is a detailed list of the subjects covered in a Diploma in Nursing (commonly GNM – General Nursing and Midwifery) programme. The curriculum is designed to provide students with foundational knowledge, clinical skills, and patient care expertise, including elements of critical care.
| Anatomy & psychology | Communicable diseases |
| Sociology | Skin, ear, nose and throat |
| Fundamentals of nursing | Community health nursing 1 |
| Professional trends and adjustment | Ward management |
| Medical-surgical nursing 1 | Midwifery and Gynaecological Nursing |
| Pediatric nursing, nutrition | Health economics |
| Medical-surgical nursing 2 | Community health nursing 2 |
Bachelor Of Science In Nursing- Subjects
This 4-year undergraduate degree equips students with the knowledge and clinical skills required for general and specialised nursing practice. Here is a list of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.Sc Nursing) subjects as per the Indian Nursing Council (INC) guidelines.
| English, anatomy, physiology | Medical-surgical nursing, child health nursing |
| Nutrition, biochemistry | Mental health nursing |
| Nursing foundation, psychology | Midwifery and obstetrical nursing |
| Sociology, pharmacology, pathology | Community health nursing 2 |
| genetics, medical-surgical nursing | Nursing research |
| Community Health Nursing 1, EVS, Microbiology | Management of nursing service and education |
Master Of Science In Nursing- Subjects
Here is a list of Master of Science in Nursing (M.Sc Nursing) subjects as per the Indian Nursing Council (INC) curriculum. This is a 2-year postgraduate degree focused on advanced nursing practice, research, management, and specialisation in fields such as critical care, psychiatric nursing, and pediatric nursing.
| Nursing education, advanced nursing practice | Nursing research |
| Nursing research and statistics | Clinical speciality-2 |
| Clinical speciality-1 | Nursing management |
Careers in Critical Care Nursing
After the completion of the course, most of the nurses join a hospital (private or govt.) as an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse. Some even opt for working as a critical care nurse for families at their home, old age homes and at health care centres. With an increase in experience, they can become an educator and help nurture young individuals like them.
In order to excel in this profession, one needs to have compassion and care for the patients and should be dedicated towards their well-being. Employment opportunities are aplenty in public sector healthcare institutions as well as private sector healthcare institutions.
Upcoming trends
With the shift in the healthcare landscape, some of the trends, which are about to make an entry or already have are:
· Chatbot services and telehealth to make healthcare accessible easily
· More and more specialisations to choose from
· New Nursing faculty positions will open up
· Increased demand for Family nurses
· Higher education in the field of nursing
· Smart beds and computerised staff
Job Profiles and Top Recruiters
Critical Care Nursing, also known as Intensive Care Nursing, is a specialised field of nursing that focuses on the care of patients with life-threatening conditions. They are skilled in using advanced medical equipment, administering complex treatments, and supporting families through emotional stress.
| Job Profiles | Descriptions |
|---|---|
Registered nurse (RN) | Registered nurses are responsible for administering medical care, communicating everything between the doctor, patients and his/her families, performing diagnostic tests, and dealing with patients daily. |
Critical care nurse | Apart from the general patients, critical care nurses also look for pre- and post-operative patients. They also help in administrative duties. |
Clinical nurse manager | Clinical nurse managers are employed in managerial work and ensure that the unit is operating within the fixed budget. They also keep track of patients admitted, discharged, and assign new patients to the nurses. |
Nursing Instructor | Nursing instructors are responsible for teaching students the different aspects and hurdles of being a critical care nurse. They are usually offered jobs in this role after some experience in actual hospitals or healthcare centres. |
Rehabilitation specialist | Rehabilitation specialists help patients with psychological disorders or addictions to learn and try being healthy (both physically and mentally). They are operating and interpreting data from life support and monitoring equipment |
Critical care nurses can also work as staff nurses during non-rush hours or when there are fewer patients in the ICU. They usually take care of the patients and keep the families updated about the patients’ health. |
Top Recruiters
- Apollo Hospitals Enterprises
- Fortis healthcare
- Medanta Medicity
- Columbia Asia Hospital
- Global hospitals
- MAX hospital
- Wockhardt hospitals
- Manipal hospital
Average Salary
Critical care nurse monitoring vital signs and detecting early signs of complications. They also provide emotional support to patients and families. The average salary of a critical care nurse is usually higher in the government sector initially. Also, with a higher degree and experience, there is an increase in salary as well.
| Job Roles | Average Salary |
|---|---|
Registered nurse (RN) | Rs. 2.5 Lakh |
Critical care nurse | Rs. 3.25 Lakh |
Rehabilitation specialist | Rs. 2.4 Lakh |
Staff nurse | Rs. 2.5 Lakh |
Clinical nurse manager | Rs. 2.7 Lakh |
Nurse educator | Rs. 3.3 Lakh |
Required Skillset for Critical Care Nursing
Critical care nursing is a very challenging area. Since the life of an individual is partially in the hands of the individual, the level of skill set should be unparalleled. Some of the important qualities that make the career graph of a critical care nurse steeper are:
Technical ICU Nursing skills: Hands-on technical complemented with proper education is the best way to kick start the list. To ensure that patients get the best of the care recruiters generally tend to prefer technically proficient nurses.
Ability to work under pressure: A Critical care nurse has to deal with many unfavourable circumstances both in the ICU as well as in front of the family of patients. Keeping that delicate balance of empathy and fortitude is very important.
Self-Care: While looking out for the patients, nurses sometimes tend to forget to heed to their own needs. In this field, job-related burnout is a common phenomenon.
Course Curriculum for Critical Care Nursing
The course is designed to produce specially trained nurses in Critical Care. The modules covered include Assessment and care of the critically ill patient, Airway and mechanical ventilation, Drugs, Nutrition and Blood products in Critical care, Procedure and Investigations in Critical care, Special Consideration (Medico-legal, Pregnancy and Trauma) and Infection control. The course has some credits of more than 50% of which are reserved for practical. The objective of the course is to help individuals acquire proficiency in using their skills for treating critically ill patients.
Popular Critical Care Nursing Entrance Exams in India
Popular Critical Care Nursing Colleges in India VIEW ALL
SGT University
- Fees: ₹ 412500
AIIMS Rishikesh
- Exams: INI CET
SVIMS Tirupati
- Fees: ₹ 15600
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: Is my nursing degree from India valid in the US?
Answer :
Yes. Your nursing degree in India is valid in the US and several other western countries, but it is not sufficient for you to practice. To be able to practice one has to qualify the nursing entrance exam conducted in the country at the national level.
Question: How much salary increment should one expect after doing MSc in nursing?
Answer :
Data says that the average salary of a nurse with a master’s degree is 50% more than that of the one with a bachelor’s degree. Nevertheless, a lot depends upon the experience and knowledge of the individual as well.
Question: Is the job of a nurse worth the hassle?
Answer :
Initially, the job of a nurse might not pay you very high, but there is a very good chance of making a lifelong career out of it. The stress of the work is usually higher than in other occupations, but the satisfaction of helping someone with their lives is also incomparable.
Question: Which sectors employ a specialist in critical care nursing apart from hospitals?
Answer :
Critical care nurses can join the army, nursing homes, old age homes, health care centres, etc. Also, they can also offer their services at home.
Question: Is the job of a critical care nurse very stressful?
Answer :
The job of a critical nurse can be a very exhausting one. In addition, it takes up a lot of toll on the patient’s family as well as the nurse. The best way out is to have emotional empathy while being detached.
Question: What are the major duties of a critical care nurse?
Answer :
The job of a critical care nurse involves providing education and support to the patients, monitoring them, safeguarding them, keeping a vigilant eye on their health conditions and serving as a liaison between the patient, the patient’s family and other healthcare professionals.
Questions related to Critical Care Nursing
Showing 6 out of 6 Questions
70 Views
online course available for critical care nursing
15th Jul, 2022
Hello,
Courses in Critical Care Nursing can be of 2-5 years of duration. Critical care nursing course aims to specialize nurses with specialized knowledge and skills. By taking these courses, candidates can get jo into many big government and private hospitals. There are many sites and institutes that offer online course for critical care nursing. Some of them are:
- Advanced Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine offered by Medvarsity
- Certificate in Nursing Care offered by Tech Mahindra SMART Academy for Healthcare, Mumbai
- Advanced certificate in Covid-19 and Critical Care Essentials by Medvarsity
- Advanced Certificate in critical care nursing by Medvarsity
- Introduction to Critical care Nursing offered by University of Glasgow, Glasgow via Futurelearn .
There are many more courses. You can visit to the link provided for more details. Link: Critical care nursing
Hope it helps.
All the best!!
Answer later 100 Views
BSC Nursing elegible for MSc critical care nursing
14th Mar, 2022
Hello aspirant,
I hope that you are doing absolutely great.
With reference to your above mentioned query, i would like to tell you that the eligibility criteria for Msc nursing Critical care are as follows :
- Candidates should have the GNM ( General Nursing and Midwifery ) course after attaining the 10+2 or equivalent qualification. Science subjects are usually preferred.
- Candidates should also be an RN (Registered nurse) with any of the State Nursing Registration Councils.
- For Master Of Science In Nursing
- Candidates should have a B.Sc Nursing or a Post basic BSc nursing with at least 55% in graduation from an Indian Nursing Council recognized university.
- In case the candidate holds a B.Sc Nursing (post-basic) degree, work experience of minimum 1 year is required.
Further, to know more about the Critical care nursing course you can prefer following the below mentioned link : https://dqxeclau.top/courses/critical-care-nursing-course
I hope that this will help.
95 Views
what are the benefits in MSc critical care nursing course. and what are the colleges offering in MSc critical care nursing course in tamilnadu
Student Expert
9th Mar, 2022
Hello dear,
The benefits of pursuing M.Sc Critical Care Nursing is discussed below.
##The career opportunities are good for M.Sc Critical Care Nursing. Also, there is good scope in abroad.
The average salary offered is Rs. 2.5 Lakhs per annum to Rs. 3.5 Lakhs per annum. The salary depends on academic performance, skill sets, experience, place where you are working, job profile, job roles, etc.
##Job profiles offered are Critical Care Nurse, Registered Nurse, Nursing Instructor, Clinical Nurse Manager, Rehabilitation Specialist, etc.
Top Recruiting Companies are
- Fortis Healthcare
- Apollo Hospitals Enterprises
- Medanta Medicity
- Global Hospital
- Columbia Asia Hospital
- MAX Hospital
- Manipal Hospital
- Wockhardt Hospitals
Top Colleges in India offering M.Sc Critical Care Nursing course are listed below.
-SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Chennai
-Christian Medical College, Vellore
-Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur College of Nursing
-King George's Medical University
-All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
-GITAM University, Vishakapatnam
-Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry
-All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur
-University College of Nursing, Faridkot
-SGT University, Gurgaon
To get more details about Colleges offering M.Sc Critical Care Nursing in India, use below given link.
I hope this information helps you.
Best of Luck!!
79 Views
what are tha colleges offering MSc critical care nursing course in india
Student Expert
9th Mar, 2022
Dear student,
Colleges in India offering M.Sc Critical Care Nursing course are given below.
**Christian Medical College, Vellore
**SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Chennai
**Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur College of Nursing
**King George's Medical University
**All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
**GITAM University, Vishakapatnam
**Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry
**University College of Nursing, Faridkot
**SGT University, Gurgaon
**All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur
For more information you can go through below mentioned link.
Hope this information was helpful to you.
All The Best!!
157 Views
what is best after bsc nursing critical care nursing or MSc nursing
6th Jun, 2021
Hi,
The life of a critical care nurse is very challenging. This requires you to be physically and emotionally strong and requires a lot of stamina as well. But it comes with good amount of salary. The demand of this sector is increasing day by day. If you really want to pursue BSc nursing critical care considering all the things mentioned above, then go for it.
Hope that helps.
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