Will a critical care nurse perform any medical procedures?

While critical care nurses perform many different procedures, the key word in this question is "medical procedures." State practice acts often differentiate between nursing and medical acts and a nurse must be careful to preform procedures that are well within his or her scope of practice. Common critical care procedures include: initiating IVs, monitoring and manipulating central and arterial lines, insertion of urinary catheters, bladder irrigation, insertion of nasogastric tubes, cardiac monitoring, wound care, and ventilator management to name a few. Medical procedures such as inserting chest tubes, invasive lines (arterial or central), invasive wound care, endotracheal intubation and others are performed by physicians, advanced practice nurses and some physician assistants.

It is important to be aware of your state nurse practice act and avoid performing medical acts that are not part of nursing practice. Examples of acts that may be asked of critical care nurses that may seem reasonable but boards of nursing have an advisory opinion on may include but not limited to the removal of epicardial pacing wires, cutting sternal wires in emergency, or placing esophageal temperature probes. Many state nursing boards have ruled that these acts are not within the scope of a nurse to perform. It is always wise to check with your individual state to understand your practice act, especially if you practice in more than one state.