66S

Description

The US Army Critical Care Nursing Officer is a specialty within nursing that specifically addresses the human responses to life-threatening illness and injury. The Critical Care Nurse (CCN) provides holistic care to critically ill patients and their families. The scope of practice includes performance in intensive care units (ICU) in both TDA and TOE environments. CCNs care for patients across the age spectrum and throughout the continuum of critical care. CCN are essential in providing intensive nursing care to all categories of combat casualties in support of decisive actions.  CCNs practice in settings in which patients require extremely complex assessments, high intensity therapies and interventions, and continuous nursing vigilance.  CCNs conduct thorough assessments and take immediate life saving action as required. CCNs operate across the broad continuum of critical care, to include Burn Trauma Nursing, Surgical Trauma Nursing, Surgical Intensive Care Nursing, Post-anesthesia care, Medical Intensive Care Nursing & and Cardiac/Cardiovascular Intensive Care Nursing.  The CCN relies upon a specialized body of knowledge, skills and expertise to provide care to a wide range of beneficiaries. The CCN’s responsibility and authority for professional nursing practice expand with education and experience.