According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Evaluate patients' vital signs or laboratory data to determine emergency intervention needs. | 100% |
| Monitor patients for changes in status and indications of conditions such as sepsis or shock and institute appropriate interventions. | 96% |
| Administer medications intravenously, by injection, orally, through gastric tubes, or by other methods. | 96% |
| Monitor patients' fluid intake and output to detect emerging problems, such as fluid and electrolyte imbalances. | 95% |
| Prioritize nursing care for assigned critically ill patients, based on assessment data or identified needs. | 94% |
| Compile and analyze data obtained from monitoring or diagnostic tests. | 94% |
| Conduct pulmonary assessments to identify abnormal respiratory patterns or breathing sounds that indicate problems. | 93% |
| Assess patients' pain levels or sedation requirements. | 92% |
| Collaborate with other health care professionals to develop and revise treatment plans, based on identified needs and assessment data. | 91% |
| Document patients' medical histories and assessment findings. | 90% |
| Collect specimens for laboratory tests. | 89% |
| Set up and monitor medical equipment and devices such as cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms, oxygen delivery devices, transducers, or pressure lines. | 88% |
| Administer blood and blood products, monitoring patients for signs and symptoms related to transfusion reactions. | 87% |
| Advocate for patients' and families' needs, or provide emotional support for patients and their families. | 87% |
| Assess family adaptation levels and coping skills to determine whether intervention is needed. | 84% |
| Perform approved therapeutic or diagnostic procedures, based upon patients' clinical status. | 83% |
| Assist physicians with procedures such as bronchoscopy, endoscopy, endotracheal intubation, or elective cardioversion. | 82% |
| Supervise and monitor unit nursing staff. | 82% |
| Document patients' treatment plans, interventions, outcomes, or plan revisions. | 82% |
| Identify malfunctioning equipment or devices. | 82% |
| Identify patients at risk of complications due to nutritional status. | 78% |
| Assess patients' psychosocial status and needs, including areas such as sleep patterns, anxiety, grief, anger, and support systems. | 77% |
| Identify patients' age-specific needs and alter care plans as necessary to meet those needs. | 75% |
| Participate in professional organizations and continuing education to improve practice knowledge and skills. | 74% |
| Participate in the development, review, or evaluation of nursing practice protocols. | 69% |
| Coordinate patient care conferences. | 68% |
| Provide post-mortem care. | 68% |
| Plan, provide, or evaluate educational programs for nursing staff, interdisciplinary health care team members, or community members. | 66% |
| Ensure that equipment or devices are properly stored after use. | 63% |
