Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nursing Skills
Intensive Care Unit
(ICU) Nursing Skills
ICU nurses care for critically ill patients who require close monitoring and advanced life support.
- Advanced Patient Assessment – Identifying subtle changes in patient status.
- Ventilator Management – Understanding ventilator settings, troubleshooting, and weaning protocols.
- Hemodynamic Monitoring – Managing arterial lines, central venous catheters, and cardiac output measurements.
- IV Drip & Medication Titration – Administering vasoactive drugs, sedatives, and analgesics.
- Neurological Monitoring – Managing patients with traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and seizures.
- ECG/EKG Interpretation – Recognizing life-threatening arrhythmias.
- Code Blue & ACLS – Rapid response to cardiac or respiratory arrest.
- Sedation & Pain Management – Handling intubated and sedated patients.
- Blood Gas Interpretation – Evaluating ABG results to guide interventions.
Emergency Room (ER) Nursing Skills
Emergency Room
(ER) Nursing Skills
ER nurses work in fast-paced environments, treating trauma and acute conditions.
- Triage & Rapid Assessment – Prioritizing patients based on severity.
- Crisis Management – Handling life-threatening emergencies efficiently.
- Wound Care & Suturing Assistance – Cleaning, dressing, and assisting with sutures.
- Fracture & Orthopedic Care – Splinting, casting, and managing dislocations.
- Poisoning & Overdose Treatment – Administering antidotes and monitoring toxicity levels.
- Mental Health Crisis Intervention – Managing patients with suicidal ideations or psychiatric emergencies.
- Disaster & Mass Casualty Preparedness – Coordinating emergency response efforts.
- Forensic Nursing Awareness – Preserving evidence in cases of assault or abuse.
Medical-Surgical Nursing Skills
Med-Surg nurses provide care for a diverse patient population recovering from various conditions.
- Pre- and Post-Operative Care – Monitoring patients before and after surgery.
- Pain Management – Administering analgesics and non-pharmacological interventions.
- Wound & Ostomy Care – Managing surgical wounds, pressure ulcers, and stoma care.
- Diabetes Management - Educating patients on insulin use and blood sugar monitoring.
- IV Therapy & Blood Transfusions – Administering IV fluids, electrolytes, and blood products.
- Fall Risk & Safety Protocols – Implementing fall prevention strategies.
- Basic Cardiac Monitoring – Recognizing arrhythmias and reporting abnormal findings.
Pediatric Nursing Skills
Pediatric nurses provide specialized care for infants, children, and adolescents.
- Growth & Development Assessment – Evaluating milestones and developmental delays.
- Pediatric Medication Administration – Calculating safe dosages based on weight.
- Child-Friendly Communication – Explaining procedures in age-appropriate ways.
- Immunization & Preventive Care – Administering vaccines and educating parents.
- Neonatal & Infant Care – Managing feeding, jaundice, and thermoregulation.
- Recognizing Signs of Abuse or Neglect – Identifying and reporting concerns.
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – Managing pediatric emergencies.
Geriatric Nursing Skills
Geriatric nurses care for aging patients with chronic illnesses and age-related conditions.
- Polypharmacy Management – Identifying and preventing medication interactions.
- Fall Prevention & Mobility Assistance – Implementing safety measures.
- Cognitive Assessment & Dementia Care – Managing Alzheimer's and other cognitive disorders.
- Pressure Ulcer Prevention & Wound Care – Addressing skin integrity concerns.
- Nutritional Support & Feeding Assistance – Managing dysphagia and malnutrition.
- Palliative & End-of-Life Care – Providing comfort and dignity in final stages.
- Chronic Disease Management – Managing conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and COPD.
Oncology Nursing Skills
Oncology nurses specialize in cancer care and chemotherapy administration.
- Chemotherapy Administration – Handling cytotoxic drugs safely.
- Radiation Therapy Care – Educating patients about side effects.
- Pain & Symptom Management – Managing cancer-related pain and nausea.
- Emotional & Psychosocial Support – Supporting patients and families.
- Neutropenic Precautions – Preventing infections in immunocompromised patients.
- End-of-Life & Hospice Care – Managing palliative treatment options.
Psychiatric Nursing Skills
Psychiatric nurses support patients with mental health conditions.
- Crisis Intervention & De-escalation – Managing aggressive or suicidal patients.
- Medication Adherence & Side Effect Management – Monitoring psychiatric medications.
- Therapeutic Communication – Using active listening and motivational interviewing.
- Behavioral Health Assessment – Recognizing signs of psychiatric disorders.
- Substance Abuse & Detox Monitoring – Managing withdrawal symptoms.
- Suicide Prevention & Risk Assessment – Identifying at-risk patients.
Perioperative (Surgical) Nursing Skills
Perioperative nurses assist in surgical settings, ensuring patient safety.
- Preoperative Assessment – Preparing patients for surgery.
- Sterile Technique & Aseptic Practices – Maintaining a contamination-free environment.
- Surgical Instrument Knowledge – Assisting in various procedures.
- Anesthesia Monitoring & Recovery – Observing sedation levels and patient stability.
- Patient Positioning & OR Safety – Preventing complications.
Obstetric & Neonatal Nursing Skills
OB and NICU nurses care for mothers and newborns.
- Labor & Delivery Support – Assisting with childbirth.
- Fetal Monitoring & Assessment – Tracking fetal heart tones and contractions.
- Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP) – Providing emergency newborn care.
- Breastfeeding Support & Lactation Counseling – Educating new mothers.
- High-Risk Pregnancy Management – Monitoring complications like preeclampsia.
Home Health & Telehealth Nursing Skills
Home health and telehealth nurses provide care outside traditional hospital settings.
- Chronic Disease Education – Teaching patients self-care at home.
- Wound & Ostomy Care in Home Settings – Managing long-term conditions.
- Medication Reconciliation – Ensuring medication safety post-discharge.
- Telehealth Communication – Conducting virtual consultations.
- Family Caregiver Education – Training families in patient care.
Critical Thinking & Evidence-Based Practice
(Applicable to All Specialties)
- Clinical Reasoning & Problem-Solving – Making rapid, informed decisions in complex cases.
- Application of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) – Using research findings to improve patient outcomes.
- Root Cause Analysis – Identifying factors contributing to medical errors or patient decline.
- Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) – Participating in hospital initiatives to enhance care quality.
- Ethical Decision-Making & Patient Advocacy – Ensuring patient rights and upholding professional integrity.