Intensive Care

Overview

Intensive care units (ICU) are dedicated to the care of patients with critical illness or injury who require frequent nursing assessment, constant monitoring, and utilization of life sustaining technology and advanced interventions.

ICU nurses work with a variety of patients, including those who have suffered traumatic injuries, heart attacks, strokes, or other serious medical conditions. They may specialize in providing care for patients with specific conditions such as adults with cardiac, trauma, neurological, and major medical events. Some ICU nurses specialize in providing care to critically ill or injured children in pediatric or neonatal ICUs.

The ICU can be demanding and fast-paced, ICU nurses work with healthcare professionals such as physicians, respiratory therapists, and pharmacists to deliver evidence-based care.

Locations

• Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
  • Adult Intensive Care Unit 
    • nurses provide care to adult patients with complex medical, cardiac and surgical conditions. Medical conditions may include pulmonary and renal disease, endocrine and neurologic conditions, infectious disease, and overdose. Complex cardiac conditions may include acute myocardial infarction, rhythm disorders, severe heart failure, and cardiomyopathy. Multi-system trauma and neurosurgery cases are treated in the Adult ICU. The Adult ICU nurses are skilled in ventilator management, critical medication infusions, renal replacement therapies, arrhythmia interventions, hemodynamic and intracranial monitoring. 
  • Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit (CSCIU)
    • Nurses provide care to adult patients who have recently undergone cardio-thoracic surgery, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), transcarotid revascularization (TCAR), and endovascular surgeries. The CSICU specializes in ventilator management, critical medication infusions, invasive hemodynamic monitoring (pulmonary artery catheters and arterial lines), renal replacement therapies, extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), percutaneous ventricular assist device (Impella), and intra-aortic balloon pump therapy (IABP).
  • Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) 
    • Nurses provide care to young patients up to 17 years of age who are seriously ill, need intensive care, and have medical-surgical needs that cannot be met on the pediatric unit. The PICU specializes in managing severe respiratory issues such as asthma, diabetes, and trauma. 
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - Level III (NICU)
    • Nurses provide care to premature infants and newborns requiring continuous assessment, immediate intervention, and prompt treatment.
  • Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital (HRSH) Intensive Care Unit
    • nurses provide care to long-term acute care adult patients with multisystem organ failure, end-stage renal disease, respiratory failure, infectious disease and endocrine conditions. The HRSH ICU specializes in ventilator management, critical medication infusions, invasive hemodynamic monitoring (pulmonary artery catheters and arterial lines) and complex wound care.
  • Betsy Johnson Hospital Critical Care Unit (CCU)
    • nurses provide care to adult patients with complex medical conditions such as pulmonary and endocrine conditions and complex postoperative cases such as bowel resection and pancreas surgery. The CCU specializes in ventilator management, critical medication infusions, and hemodynamic monitoring.
  • Central Harnett Health Special Care Unit (SCU)
    • nurses provide care to adult patients with complex medical and cardiac conditions such as pulmonary, endocrine, cardiac disease and post cardiac catheterization care. The SCU admits progressive and critical patients and specializes in ventilator management, BiPAP, high-flow oxygen, and critical medication infusions.
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Candidates

One year of nursing experience is preferred. Possesses acute assessment, critical thinking and communication skills. Participates in multi-disciplinary rounds to facilitate transition to the next level of care. Additional training related to critical medication infusions, advanced monitoring, and assisting providers with bedside procedures such as thoracentesis, paracentesis, bronchoscopy, and chest tube insertion. BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP are required as appropriate for unit (courses provided by CFVHS). Professional growth through academic advancement, specialty certification, and Clinical Ladder participation are encouraged.