Typical job descriptions for critical care nurses describe them as members of one of the most complex and challenging specialties in nursing and itemize , training, skill, certification and experience the specialty requires. But an individual’s character traits are just as important in having the right stuff. As a nurse who has worked with critical care nurses and has relied on them to care for my loved ones, here’s what I think those traits include.

Because critical care nurses are present during some of the most difficult patient care moments, they need to be knowledgeable about patients’ rights, ethical issues and the end-of-life scenarios they will eventually be faced with. The gravity of patients’ conditions require nurses with nothing less than the right stuff. If you’re a critical care nurse, we recognize and applaud you for what you do. If you’re currently in another specialty and considering a move to critical care, I hope this information will be helpful in your soul searching about whether to join the specialty.