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Bachelor Degree Entry Level Careers and Jobs (jobs after undergraduate degree)

Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with a Bachelor Degree, having 1 year or less of work experience - All On One Page

Sorted by median annual U.S. salary, including % with Bachelor's Degree, and % with 1 year experience (or less).

These entry-level roles are designed for new bachelor's degree graduates ready to start their first professional position. For recent graduates who want realistic starting points that match their degree and experience level. Compare starting salaries and degree-holder percentages, then access preparation resources built for new graduates.



4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video External Link.

This page will take you through 4 steps, to find entry level Bachelor degree jobs and careers: (1) Select an entry-level career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.

Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Bachelor's Degree entry-level careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover entry-level careers that might be of interest.

Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.



Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.




Step 1 of 4: Select a Career

Leading Books About Bachelor's Degree Jobs External Link
What entry level jobs can you get with a Bachelor's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are entry level careers (1 year or less work experience) related to the Bachelor's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having a Bachelor's Degree. - 110 specific careers are listed. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:


Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Bachelor's Degree) / (% having less than 1 year experience) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)

Water Resource Specialists / 50.00% / 36.37% / ($157,740)
Medical Dosimetrists / 75.00% / 30.00% / ($132,880)
Actuaries / 89.28% / 82.14% / ($120,000)
Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists / 76.00% / 36.00% / ($112,280)
Chemical Engineers / 95.65% / 78.26% / ($112,100)
Solar Energy Systems Engineers / 55.56% / 32.13% / ($111,970)
Photonics Engineers / 52.38% / 34.79% / ($111,970)
Orthoptists / 85.71% / 53.57% / ($107,990)
Materials Scientists / 66.66% / 52.38% / ($106,160)
Materials Engineers / 52.38% / 38.09% / ($104,100)
Computer Systems Analysts / 41.93% / 31.42% / ($103,800)
Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers / 88.47% / 46.16% / ($103,690)
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers / 50.00% / 41.17% / ($101,800)
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers / 43.48% / 52.18% / ($100,730)
Environmental Engineers / 66.66% / 61.91% / ($100,090)
Computer Programmers / 88.04% / 40.18% / ($99,700)
Automotive Engineers / 71.43% / 38.09% / ($99,510)
Fuel Cell Engineers / 57.14% / 45.47% / ($99,510)
Manufacturing Engineers / 76.00% / 34.61% / ($99,380)
Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists / 50.00% / 45.00% / ($99,380)
Video Game Designers / 55.00% / 40.00% / ($98,540)
Radiation Therapists / 37.54% / 42.76% / ($98,300)
Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists / 39.13% / 73.92% / ($96,370)
Transportation Engineers / 86.36% / 40.91% / ($95,890)
Water/Wastewater Engineers / 69.57% / 50.00% / ($95,890)
Transportation Planners / 55.00% / 35.00% / ($95,890)
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers / 40.62% / 53.13% / ($92,580)
Intelligence Analysts / 73.92% / 30.43% / ($91,100)
Molecular and Cellular Biologists / 34.62% / 38.46% / ($91,100)
Geographers / 45.00% / 45.00% / ($90,880)
Hydrologists / 43.48% / 45.46% / ($88,770)
Agricultural Engineers / 75.00% / 35.00% / ($88,750)
Acute Care Nurses / 66.66% / 52.38% / ($86,070)
Registered Nurses / 55.92% / 37.83% / ($86,070)
Critical Care Nurses / 50.00% / 60.71% / ($86,070)
Microbiologists / 72.73% / 54.55% / ($85,470)
Web Developers / 50.00% / 33.33% / ($84,960)
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers / 44.97% / 30.56% / ($84,570)
Financial Examiners / 95.66% / 47.83% / ($84,300)
Operations Research Analysts / 42.85% / 40.00% / ($83,640)
Food Scientists and Technologists / 81.82% / 54.55% / ($82,090)
Chemical Plant and System Operators / 36.27% / 34.85% / ($80,030)
Online Merchants / 41.29% / 37.80% / ($79,590)
Credit Analysts / 95.00% / 30.00% / ($79,420)
Logistics Engineers / 73.91% / 39.14% / ($79,400)
Landscape Architects / 95.00% / 36.84% / ($79,320)
Insurance Underwriters / 73.33% / 40.00% / ($77,860)
Commercial and Industrial Designers / 67.92% / 32.87% / ($76,250)
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists / 31.50% / 56.99% / ($76,210)
Environmental Compliance Inspectors / 75.00% / 40.00% / ($75,670)
Coroners / 50.00% / 40.00% / ($75,670)
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators / 39.34% / 49.63% / ($75,670)
Writers and Authors / 46.95% / 31.03% / ($73,690)
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling / 52.12% / 30.60% / ($73,460)
Dietitians and Nutritionists / 63.33% / 30.00% / ($69,680)
Electrical and Electronics Drafters / 40.08% / 46.57% / ($69,260)
Conservation Scientists / 78.27% / 39.14% / ($68,750)
Park Naturalists / 49.75% / 56.05% / ($68,750)
Surveyors / 47.37% / 30.00% / ($68,540)
Adapted Physical Education Specialists / 71.43% / 76.18% / ($67,190)
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School / 57.35% / 62.00% / ($66,620)
Special Education Teachers, Middle School / 82.51% / 53.04% / ($66,600)
Film and Video Editors / 65.10% / 32.92% / ($66,600)
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products / 33.89% / 36.34% / ($65,630)
Special Education Teachers, Preschool / 63.43% / 60.73% / ($65,270)
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education / 84.73% / 71.18% / ($65,220)
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School / 44.42% / 31.47% / ($65,130)
Forensic Science Technicians / 32.36% / 32.02% / ($64,940)
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education / 88.24% / 62.40% / ($64,290)
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School / 80.62% / 56.90% / ($63,860)
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education / 78.17% / 63.08% / ($63,680)
Music Therapists / 84.62% / 65.38% / ($63,650)
Real Estate Brokers / 45.33% / 36.44% / ($63,060)
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education / 86.20% / 75.61% / ($62,690)
Interior Designers / 84.00% / 40.00% / ($62,510)
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists / 88.03% / 43.28% / ($61,800)
Paralegals and Legal Assistants / 46.50% / 34.43% / ($60,970)
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors / 52.22% / 39.65% / ($60,560)
Fish and Game Wardens / 79.35% / 45.27% / ($60,380)
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators / 35.12% / 42.16% / ($59,300)
Computer User Support Specialists / 47.32% / 32.44% / ($59,240)
Insurance Sales Agents / 46.90% / 72.73% / ($59,080)
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents / 33.61% / 38.40% / ($58,530)
Recreational Therapists / 97.30% / 55.26% / ($57,120)
Interpreters and Translators / 54.72% / 35.52% / ($57,090)
Chemical Technicians / 43.74% / 47.59% / ($56,750)
Social Science Research Assistants / 54.32% / 46.58% / ($56,400)
Exercise Physiologists / 59.09% / 50.00% / ($54,860)
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians / 72.05% / 33.89% / ($54,000)
Child, Family, and School Social Workers / 68.66% / 36.21% / ($53,940)
Desktop Publishers / 38.70% / 45.93% / ($51,290)
Airfield Operations Specialists / 50.86% / 50.32% / ($51,140)
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health / 68.18% / 68.18% / ($50,660)
Statistical Assistants / 61.28% / 36.94% / ($50,510)
Food Science Technicians / 32.33% / 67.10% / ($49,090)
Proofreaders and Copy Markers / 47.30% / 47.90% / ($48,790)
Cargo and Freight Agents / 30.75% / 74.53% / ($48,330)
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping / 33.81% / 30.88% / ($47,710)
Loan Interviewers and Clerks / 38.26% / 36.81% / ($47,380)
Coaches and Scouts / 48.89% / 33.27% / ($45,910)
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys / 35.18% / 40.27% / ($44,890)
Speech-Language Pathology Assistants / 37.46% / 85.80% / ($44,490)
Rehabilitation Counselors / 55.86% / 55.52% / ($44,040)
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary / 57.32% / 66.98% / ($43,750)
Precision Agriculture Technicians / 34.78% / 43.48% / ($43,180)
Social and Human Service Assistants / 40.46% / 60.58% / ($41,410)
Tutors / 40.91% / 72.73% / ($39,580)
Residential Advisors / 31.29% / 65.91% / ($37,950)
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term / 40.15% / 66.44% / ($37,380)
Recreation Workers / 61.96% / 40.14% / ($34,410)

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Job Listings for: Critical Care Nurses.

Search results will open in a new tab.

Note: Job search results work best for U.S.-based locations. For international searches, try searching for "[job title] in [city, country]" directly on the selected job board, or visit their country-specific website.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career

Prepare for the "Critical Care Nurses" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.




Critical Care Nurses

Description: Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Critical Care Nurses":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Monitor patients for changes in status and indications of conditions such as sepsis or shock and institute appropriate interventions.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Participate in professional organizations and continuing education to improve practice knowledge and skills.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Assess patients' psychosocial status and needs, including areas such as sleep patterns, anxiety, grief, anger, and support systems.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Document patients' treatment plans, interventions, outcomes, or plan revisions.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Identify malfunctioning equipment or devices.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Assist physicians with procedures such as bronchoscopy, endoscopy, endotracheal intubation, or elective cardioversion.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Perform approved therapeutic or diagnostic procedures, based upon patients' clinical status.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Assess family adaptation levels and coping skills to determine whether intervention is needed.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Advocate for patients' and families' needs, or provide emotional support for patients and their families.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Administer blood and blood products, monitoring patients for signs and symptoms related to transfusion reactions.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Evaluate patients' vital signs or laboratory data to determine emergency intervention needs.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Document patients' medical histories and assessment findings.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Collaborate with other health care professionals to develop and revise treatment plans, based on identified needs and assessment data.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Assess patients' pain levels or sedation requirements.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Conduct pulmonary assessments to identify abnormal respiratory patterns or breathing sounds that indicate problems.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Compile and analyze data obtained from monitoring or diagnostic tests.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Monitor patients' fluid intake and output to detect emerging problems, such as fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Set up and monitor medical equipment and devices such as cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms, oxygen delivery devices, transducers, or pressure lines.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Identify patients' age-specific needs and alter care plans as necessary to meet those needs.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Identify patients at risk of complications due to nutritional status.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Prioritize nursing care for assigned critically ill patients, based on assessment data or identified needs.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Participate in the development, review, or evaluation of nursing practice protocols.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Coordinate patient care conferences.
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Administer medications intravenously, by injection, orally, through gastric tubes, or by other methods.
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Plan, provide, or evaluate educational programs for nursing staff, interdisciplinary health care team members, or community members.
Importance: 89 (%) Description: Collect specimens for laboratory tests.
Importance: 89 (%) Description: Provide post-mortem care.
Importance: 89 (%) Description: Ensure that equipment or devices are properly stored after use.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Supervise and monitor unit nursing staff.
Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 99 (%) Description: Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 92 (%) Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 91 (%) Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 89 (%) Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 89 (%) Description: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Importance: 87 (%) Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 85 (%) Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Importance: 84 (%) Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 84 (%) Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Importance: 79 (%) Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Importance: 79 (%) Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 78 (%) Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Importance: 78 (%) Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
Administer blood or other fluids intravenously.
Administer intravenous medications.
Administer non-intravenous medications.
Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
Assess patient work, living, or social environments.
Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
Check physical condition of people or animals.
Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
Collect biological specimens from patients.
Conduct health or safety training programs.
Confer with family members to discuss client treatment plans or progress.
Confer with other professionals to plan patient care.
Develop medical treatment plans.
Establish nursing policies or standards.
Evaluate patient functioning, capabilities, or health.
Examine condition of property or products.
Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation.
Interact with patients to build rapport or provide emotional support.
Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Maintain medical or professional knowledge.
Monitor nutrition related activities of individuals or groups.
Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
Provide basic health care services.
Record patient medical histories.
Supervise patient care personnel.
Test patient heart or lung functioning.
Train medical providers.
Treat medical emergencies.
Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Medicine and Dentistry: Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Importance: 83 (%) Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Psychology: Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Biology: Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Therapy and Counseling: Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Sociology and Anthropology: Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Chemistry: Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?
Activity: Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
Activity: Administer diagnostic tests to assess patient health.
Activity: Administer emergency medical treatment.
Activity: Analyze health or medical data.
Activity: Assess living, work, or social needs or status of individuals or communities.
Activity: Assist healthcare practitioners during medical procedures.
Activity: Collect environmental or biological samples.
Activity: Confer with healthcare or other professionals about patient care.
Activity: Develop operational or technical procedures or standards.
Activity: Develop patient or client care or treatment plans.
Activity: Evaluate patient or client condition or treatment options.
Activity: Examine people or animals to assess health conditions or physical characteristics.
Activity: Explain medical information to patients or family members.
Activity: Inspect characteristics or conditions of materials or products.
Activity: Inspect commercial, industrial, or production systems or equipment.
Activity: Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise.
Activity: Maintain health or medical records.
Activity: Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Activity: Monitor health conditions of humans or animals.
Activity: Operate medical equipment.
Activity: Prepare medical equipment or work areas for use.
Activity: Provide support or encouragement to others.
Activity: Supervise personnel activities.
Activity: Train others on health or medical topics.
Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?
Emerging Tech Skills
Document management software:
Microsoft SharePoint
Medical software:
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Epic Systems
MEDITECH software
Office suite software:
Microsoft Office software
General Software Tools
Cloud-based data access and sharing software:
Google Drive
Human resources software:
Oracle Taleo
Information retrieval or search software:
American Association of Critical Care Nurses AACN Medicopeia
PEPID RN Critical Care RNCC
Internet browser software:
Web browser software
Medical software (scroll table below):
Allscripts Professional EHR
Amkai AmkaiCharts
Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR
Cerner Millennium
ChartWare EMR
e-MDs software
GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
MEDITECH Healthcare Information System HCIS
Medscribbler Enterprise
MicroFour PracticeStudio.NET EMR
NextGen Healthcare Information Systems EMR
SOAPware EMR
StatCom Patient Flow Logistics Enterprise Suite
SynaMed EMR
Texas Medical Software SpringCharts EMR
Preparation Required
Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment
This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 50.0 (%) Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 35.7 (%) Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Frequency of Attainment: 10.7 (%) Level of Education: Master's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 3.6 (%) Level of Education: Post-Master's Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master's degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level.
Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment
This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 32.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 21.4 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Frequency of Attainment: 21.4 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 14.3 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 3.6 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Frequency of Attainment: 3.6 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Frequency of Attainment: 3.6 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Certifications
Certifications
These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them?
Acute/Critical Care Knowledge Professional (Adult) External Link
Adult Tele-ICU Acute/Critical Care Nursing Certification External Link
Cardiac Medicine (Adult) External Link
Cardiac Surgery (Adult) External Link
Certified in Executive Nursing Practice External Link
Certified Radiology Nurse External Link
Clinical Medical Assistant External Link
Critical Care Registered Nurse (Pediatric) External Link
EKG Technician External Link
Emergency Pediatric Care External Link
Pain Management Nursing Certification External Link
Phlebotomy Technician External Link
Tactical Combat Casualty Care External Link
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities?
American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) External Link
Job Listings
Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings
Critical Care Nurses
CCU RN (Cardiac Care Unit Registered Nurse)
CCU RN (Coronary Care Unit Registered Nurse)
CCU RN (Critical Care Unit Registered Nurse)
Certified Critical Care Nurse
Critical Care Nurse (CCN)
Critical Care Nurse Practitioner
Critical Care Nurse Specialist
Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
Critical Care Unit Nurse
CVICU RN (Cardiac ICU Registered Nurse)
CVICU RN (Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse)
ER RN (Emergency Room Registered Nurse)
ICU Critical Care NP (Intensive Care Unit Critical Care Nurse Practitioner)
ICU Nurse (Intensive Care Unit Nurse)
ICU Travel RN (Intensive Care Unit Travel Registered Nurse)
Intensive Care Registered Nurse (Intensive Care RN)
Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse (ICU RN)
Neonatal Critical Care Nurse
Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse
Neuro ICU RN (Neuro Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse)
Neuro ICU RN (Neurological Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse)
Neuro ICU RN (Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse)
Newborn ICU RN (Newborn Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse)
NICU RN (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse)
Nurse
PCU RN (Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse)
Pediatric Critical Care Nurse
Pediatric Critical Care Nurse Practitioner
PICU RN (Pediatric Intensive Care Registered Nurse)
PICU RN (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse)
Progressive Care Nurse
Registered Nurse (RN)
Staff Nurse
Step Down RN (Step Down Registered Nurse)
Step-Down Nurse
Telemetry Nurse
Trauma RN (Trauma Registered Nurse)
Vascular Nurse
Related Careers to Consider
Related Careers to Consider
This lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to what "Critical Care Nurses" do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit. How do these related occupations align with your interests, skills, and goals?
1 - Acute Care Nurses
2 - Registered Nurses
3 - Nurse Practitioners
4 - Clinical Nurse Specialists
5 - Paramedics
6 - Respiratory Therapists
7 - Nurse Midwives
8 - Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
9 - Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
10 - Nursing Assistants
11 - Emergency Medicine Physicians
12 - Nurse Anesthetists
13 - Anesthesiologists
14 - Anesthesiologist Assistants
15 - Cardiologists
16 - Physician Assistants
17 - Family Medicine Physicians
18 - Pediatricians, General
19 - Pediatric Surgeons
20 - Hospitalists

Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)

This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Critical Care Nurses". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.


Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.


Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.


Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.


Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.


Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Critical Care Nurses". Use these links to find a job.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Critical Care Nurses". Use these links to find a job.


Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.


Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Critical Care Nurses


Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...


LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.


Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Critical Care Nurses" occupation.






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