Acute Care Nurse Job and Degree Guide

nurse with full protective equipment tends to patient in hospital bed

Acute Care Nursing Career Snapshot

Where you’ll work: Medical-surgical, cardiology, pediatric and other units in hospitals.

What you’ll do: Provide care to patients that have brief but severe medical needs, such as a sudden illness or recovering from a major surgery or injury.

Minimum degree required: ASN or BSN, though many employers prefer or require nurses to have a BSN or higher.

Who it’s a good fit for: Acute care can be unpredictable, which makes this job anything but routine. Acute care nurses should be flexible and be able to stay calm under pressure.

Job perks: Acute care can encompass many different specialties (such as pediatric or cardiac acute care) so there is plenty of variety and options to mold your career to your particular interests.

Opportunities if you pursue a higher degree or certification: Acute care nurses who choose to specialize or pursue their APRN license may have more job opportunities available to them and the chance to earn a higher salary.

Median annual salary: $81,220

What Is an Acute Care Nurse?

An acute care nurse is highly trained and experienced in caring for patients with immediate and serious medical needs arising from a range of situations, including sudden illness, recovery from surgery, injuries, and the management of complex medical conditions.

Acute care nurses have multiple options for career advancement. Many choose to specialize in specific areas like pediatrics or cardiac care, while others ultimately earn their advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license.

As an APRN, nurses can take on leadership roles as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) or provide primary care as a nurse practitioner (NP).

Competition is intense for acute care nursing jobs, according to former nurse Beth Hawkes, MSN, RN-BC, an author, columnist, and nursing professional development specialist. “It’s not easy landing your first job in acute care; persistence is how you do it,” she says. “Be willing to work in any specialty that’s hiring to get your foot in the door.”

What Do Acute Care Nurses Do?

The job is challenging and anything but routine, often requiring rapid intervention and quick decisions. It is also one of the most in-demand jobs in nursing, due to the growth of an aging, active population with chronic conditions and a shortage of nurses throughout the healthcare system.

Acute care nurses work in both direct and indirect patient care roles. In direct patient care roles, you may perform many of the following tasks:

  • Provide general bedside care to patients in need of immediate assistance
  • Use technology and tests to determine patient needs
  • Provide medication and treatments
  • Correct medical problems that might arise
  • Track recovery or recuperation progress
  • Check and record vital signs
  • Interact with other medical staff assigned to the patient’s care team (which may change from one patient to the next, depending on the patient’s health issues)
  • Make care decisions under pressure in moments of critical need
  • Physically adjust patients’ positions
  • Maintain vigilance and careful observation
  • Clearly communicate patients’ changing needs to other medical staff
  • Discuss status or progress with a patient’s family
  • Assist in transitioning patients from one care unit to another

Acute care nurses are also employed in indirect patient care roles, such as:

  • Supervisory positions
  • Leadership and executive roles
  • Education and training
  • Staff development
  • Complex care navigation
  • Care transition management

How to Become an Acute Care Nurse

Acute care nurses are licensed registered nurses (RNs) who have a college degree, a minimum of two to three years of nursing experience, and specialty certifications. Licensing requirements, required education, and scope of practice are determined by each state. As you plan for the future, check on the specific requirements of the state in which you plan to practice.

Generally, employers require entry-level acute care nurses hold at least an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), but top employers such as major hospitals and health organizations generally require or strongly prefer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Supervisory, training, and leadership positions will generally require at least a BSN, with most employers indicating a strong preference for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or even a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Larger employers will generally look for acute care nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Education programs generally include classroom studies, clinical training, and externships. Additional coursework may be required for specialty certifications. Continuing education is generally required to maintain licensure in all states, as well as to renew specialty certifications.

“For nurses, continuing education is a lifestyle,” Hawkes says. “It’s designed to keep nurses up to date in their practice and abreast of current trends and guidelines.”

What Degree Do I Need to Become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?

Rules may be changing for those looking to earn their APRN license and become a CNS or NP specializing in acute care. While a master’s is the minimum degree required currently, some industry organizations are advocating for a DNP to become the entry-level degree for both jobs.

Licenses

The cornerstone of your nursing credentials will be your RN license (or an APRN license if you’re planning on a managerial or supervisory role). In the U.S., nurses need to be authorized to practice by a state board of nursing, and licensure requirements can vary by state.

At a minimum, you’ll need to earn an RN credential by passing the NCLEX examination after earning a degree in nursing. License, education, and certification requirements vary by state, so be sure to verify the requirements for the state in which you plan to practice.

Acute Nursing Certifications

Depending on your career plans, the types of patients you care for, and where you choose to work, specialty certifications may or may not be state-mandated. For many acute care positions, however, such certifications may be preferred or required by employers, and having one—or even two or three—may help you land a job or a more senior position in acute care.

There are a wide variety of specialty certifications available to acute care nurses at both the RN and APRN levels:

  • Progressive Care Certified Nursing PCCN (Adult): for RNs and APRNs providing direct care to acutely ill adult patients in roles such as bedside nurse, educator, and preceptor
  • Acute/Critical Care Nursing CCRN (Adult): for RNs or APRNs providing direct care to acutely/critically ill adult patients in roles such as bedside nurse, educator, and manager
  • Acute/Critical Care Knowledge Professional CCRN-K (Pediatric): for RNs and APRNs influencing the care of acutely/critically ill pediatric patients but not providing direct care in roles such as manager, supervisor, or nursing administrator
  • Cardiac Medicine CMC (Adult): for RNs and APRNs providing direct care to acutely/critically ill adult cardiac patients in roles such as bedside nurse, educator, and manager
  • CNS Wellness through Acute Care ACCNS-N (Neonatal): for clinical nurse specialists with graduate-level degrees providing advanced nursing care to meet the special needs of neonatal patients
  • Acute Care NP ACNPC-AG (Adult-Gero.): for graduate-level acute care nurse practitioners providing advanced nursing care to meet the special needs of acutely ill gerontology patients
  • Medical Surgical Nurse-Board Certified (MEDSURG-BC): verifies entry-level medical, surgical, and clinical knowledge and skills of newer RNs
  • Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN): for nurses specializing in cancer care

What’s the Difference Between an Acute Care Nurse and a Critical Care Nurse?

The primary difference is that critical care requires a much higher level of intensity in assessing, monitoring and treating patients, according to Nicole Kupchik, MN, RN, CCNS, CCRN, PCCN-K, who is a critical care clinical nurse specialist. “A natural career transition for many nurses is to move from acute care to critical care.”  

Both acute care and critical care nurses:

  • Care for patients under intense conditions
  • Monitor their patients constantly
  • Are always on alert for changes in condition
  • Deal with ever-changing environments and the unexpected

Critical care nurses care for patients who:

  • Need immediate emergency or intensive care
  • May have life-threatening conditions or injuries
  • Are generally in less stable condition
  • Require more intense assessment and monitoring
  • Require extensive use of technology for diagnosis, intervention, and treatment

Where Acute Care Nurses Work

Acute care nurses work in a wide range of facilities. Employers include:

  • Regional medical centers and teaching hospitals
  • Acute care hospitals
  • Urgent care clinics
  • Outpatient surgery centers
  • Private clinics
  • Long-term acute care hospitals
  • Skilled nursing homes
  • Home health service providers
  • Government agencies

Within a facility, depending on your experience, training, and specialty, you may work in units and departments such as:

In moments of crisis and in smaller or remote facilities, experienced acute care nurses who are not certified or trained as critical care nurses may also be assigned to work in emergency rooms and ICUs.

Acute Care Nurse Salary

What you earn as an acute care nurse or APRN will vary depending on your position, education, and experience. Where you live and where you work will be factors as well.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not break out the median salary for acute care nurses specifically, but it does list the median annual wage for a registered nurse: $81,220.

Registered Nurses

National data

Median Salary: $81,220

Projected job growth: 5.6%

10th Percentile: $61,250

25th Percentile: $66,680

75th Percentile: $101,100

90th Percentile: $129,400

Projected job growth: 5.6%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $63,090 $48,820 $82,760
Alaska $102,260 $80,950 $127,280
Arizona $82,330 $66,040 $105,520
Arkansas $64,130 $37,630 $83,700
California $132,660 $84,700 $177,670
Colorado $82,430 $66,130 $107,260
Connecticut $95,210 $71,050 $119,600
Delaware $82,230 $64,100 $101,110
District of Columbia $98,970 $66,260 $135,260
Florida $77,710 $61,190 $100,060
Georgia $79,440 $60,400 $118,270
Hawaii $120,100 $76,640 $137,710
Idaho $77,940 $61,530 $100,440
Illinois $78,980 $62,180 $102,080
Indiana $73,290 $55,200 $95,600
Iowa $65,000 $56,330 $83,360
Kansas $66,460 $52,010 $93,120
Kentucky $75,800 $56,120 $98,540
Louisiana $73,180 $57,500 $95,540
Maine $77,340 $61,170 $100,910
Maryland $83,850 $64,680 $106,910
Massachusetts $98,520 $67,480 $154,160
Michigan $79,180 $64,270 $100,920
Minnesota $84,060 $65,500 $107,960
Mississippi $63,330 $49,980 $84,030
Missouri $71,460 $51,440 $94,340
Montana $76,550 $62,930 $98,970
Nebraska $74,990 $58,900 $93,230
Nevada $94,930 $74,200 $130,200
New Hampshire $80,550 $62,790 $104,270
New Jersey $98,090 $76,650 $118,150
New Mexico $81,990 $64,510 $106,300
New York $100,370 $64,840 $132,950
North Carolina $76,430 $59,580 $100,430
North Dakota $69,640 $60,780 $91,150
Ohio $76,810 $61,860 $98,380
Oklahoma $74,520 $53,560 $97,520
Oregon $106,680 $81,470 $131,210
Pennsylvania $78,740 $61,450 $101,450
Rhode Island $85,960 $65,260 $104,790
South Carolina $75,610 $52,620 $93,190
South Dakota $62,920 $51,240 $80,860
Tennessee $65,800 $51,270 $95,490
Texas $79,830 $61,950 $105,270
Utah $77,240 $61,850 $98,000
Vermont $77,230 $60,900 $101,570
Virginia $79,700 $61,970 $104,410
Washington $101,230 $77,460 $131,230
West Virginia $74,160 $47,640 $96,470
Wisconsin $79,750 $65,110 $100,820
Wyoming $77,730 $60,910 $102,010

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

The BLS does not break out the median salary for acute care nurses specifically, but it does list median annual wage for RNs.

The BLS also reports that the median salary for APRNs who are NPs is $121,610.

Nurse Practitioners

National data

Median Salary: $121,610

Projected job growth: 44.5%

10th Percentile: $87,340

25th Percentile: $103,250

75th Percentile: $135,470

90th Percentile: $165,240

Projected job growth: 44.5%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $101,150 $79,960 $131,300
Alaska $128,870 $52,980 $168,240
Arizona $120,480 $80,970 $157,800
Arkansas $102,880 $83,670 $128,190
California $157,160 $103,890 $220,460
Colorado $118,590 $85,080 $143,280
Connecticut $130,090 $100,650 $163,900
Delaware $122,530 $99,160 $156,040
District of Columbia $125,370 $105,780 $171,490
Florida $107,600 $63,880 $136,290
Georgia $112,090 $82,590 $148,710
Hawaii $135,760 $91,520 $162,960
Idaho $116,710 $64,780 $159,920
Illinois $124,840 $100,520 $142,580
Indiana $119,160 $100,610 $142,860
Iowa $123,460 $101,930 $158,730
Kansas $108,350 $84,370 $132,900
Kentucky $104,630 $74,270 $129,590
Louisiana $115,620 $81,550 $152,730
Maine $112,210 $99,160 $142,520
Maryland $117,540 $81,710 $159,740
Massachusetts $133,030 $105,410 $178,690
Michigan $109,250 $95,960 $132,800
Minnesota $128,020 $102,230 $151,580
Mississippi $108,920 $85,640 $153,020
Missouri $106,640 $81,320 $138,170
Montana $127,350 $94,210 $137,940
Nebraska $115,920 $97,000 $146,320
Nevada $130,050 $91,800 $173,970
New Hampshire $125,450 $100,090 $156,170
New Jersey $136,480 $111,560 $170,940
New Mexico $125,190 $94,010 $176,210
New York N/A N/A N/A
North Carolina $111,140 $94,990 $137,390
North Dakota $107,680 $91,990 $139,240
Ohio $113,040 $96,640 $135,890
Oklahoma $121,010 $93,600 $147,240
Oregon $132,230 $107,950 $167,690
Pennsylvania $116,980 $93,230 $158,130
Rhode Island $121,310 $105,780 $145,810
South Carolina $103,950 $84,010 $137,740
South Dakota $108,250 $93,050 $140,510
Tennessee $103,080 $47,950 $131,820
Texas $121,270 $95,140 $160,740
Utah $112,490 $66,700 $163,780
Vermont $115,940 $91,700 $147,850
Virginia $110,860 $89,340 $141,490
Washington $134,200 $105,690 $167,840
West Virginia $104,290 $83,850 $133,570
Wisconsin $120,700 $102,590 $140,800
Wyoming $112,770 $75,480 $145,140

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

Employers looking for acute care RNs and APRNs often stipulate that specialty certifications are strongly preferred or required for employment. Those with strong educational backgrounds and specialty certifications may find it easier to land those highly coveted positions in acute care.

Career Outlook

Several trends will drive job growth and hiring over the next 10 years for acute care RNs and APRNs.

First, the country’s population is aging, but seniors remain physically active and participate in exercise and outdoor activities at much higher levels than past generations. This is causing an increase in the number of complex health issues that require care and management, and the nation needs more primary care providers to meet patient needs.

An aging population and senior citizens remaining active later in life are causing an increase in the number of complex health issues that require care and management.

APRNs can help address this need in many states, as they are licensed to diagnose and prescribe medication, either working with physicians or as independent providers. The BLS projects job growth for NP’s (a subset of the APRN classification) to be a whopping 44.5% through 2032.

Second, the U.S. has been facing a direct care nursing shortage for several years now and that trend is expected to continue due to an expected increase in retirement of experienced nurses—and to cover vacancies caused by transfers of nurses to indirect care roles.

Given an aging population with complex medical issues, the need to replace retiring nurses, and the expected ongoing transfer of nurses to non-direct care roles, the actual job growth for highly trained and experienced nurses like those in acute care may actually be higher than anticipated.

Career Insight

Both Hawkes and Kupchik have been aspiring nurses. They know what it feels like to be a new nurse just starting out—or a nurse transitioning into a new practice.

In her book, The First Year Nurse, Hawkes advises students and transitioning nurses alike to anticipate “reality shock,” the reactionary process you undergo when you move from the classroom to nursing or move from one nursing practice to another.

“You discover that the job is not what you expected,” she says. “When reality shock is at its worst, you may wonder if you are on the right unit, in the right facility, or even if nursing is right for you. You may go so far as to question your decision to become a nurse.”

You are not alone; most nurses go through this. Hawkes suggests you give it a year and don’t make any quick decisions. Almost everyone comes out whole on the other side.

Kupchik says that many acute care nurses move to critical care and think they know what to expect. But the critical care role is much more intense and they underestimate the difficulty of making the transition. To assure success in a new role, Kupchik suggests the following:

You’ll be nervous for the first year. That’s normal.

Be prepared to look up medical info after your shifts.

Get certified in your current specialty; she suggests either the PCCN or the MEDSURG-BC.

Realize that the learning curve is going to be steep. Take full advantage of your orientation. Be a sponge. And remember it’s OK to say you don’t know.

In the end, both Hawkes and Kupchik agree that the first year as a nurse or as a transfer can be intense. “But it’s so worth it!” says Kupchik.

Acute Care Nurse: Is This Job Right for Me? 

This job is not for inexperienced nurses—or for the faint of heart. Acute care nursing can be a high-stress, unpredictable, high-burnout job with inconsistent hours and long shifts. What type of person would do well in this role? If you are someone who loves a challenge and wants to make a difference every day, you may thrive in this job.

  • Do you routinely solve puzzles and bring order to chaos in whatever situation you find yourself?
  • Are you comfortable leading?
  • Do colleagues view you as a problem-solving, quick-thinking team member who can handle complexity and intensity?
  • Are you a good communicator and a take-charge, stress-managing, multi-processing, multi-tasking kind-of-person?

If so, this job may be just right for you.

Professional Resources

There are many resources available to the nursing profession. Some popular ones include:


sheila mickool

Written and reported by:

Sheila Mickool

Contributing Writer

With professional insight from:

beth hawkes

Beth Hawkes, MSN, RN-BC

Nursing Professional Development Specialist

nicole kupchik

Nicole Kupchik, MN, RN, CCNS, CCRN, PCCN-K

Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist