Registered Nurses (Critical Care and Emergency)
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Registered Nurses (Critical Care and Emergency) provide nursing care to critically ill patients and patients with unstable health following injury, surgery or during the acute phase of diseases, integrating new technological equipment into care in settings such as high dependency units, intensive care units, emergency departments or retrieval services.
Specialisations: Registered Nurse (Acute Care), Registered Nurse (Emergency/Trauma), Registered Nurse (High Dependency), Registered Nurse (Neonatal Intensive Care), Registered Nurse (Paediatric Intensive Care).
A bachelor degree in nursing and specialist experience is usually needed to work as a Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency). Some workers have a postgraduate qualification.
Tasks
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Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates nursing care for patients according to accepted nursing practice and standards.
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Works in consultation with other health professionals and members of health teams, and co-ordinating the care of patients.
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Provides interventions, treatments and therapies such as medications, and monitors responses to treatment and care plans.
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Promotes health and assists in preventing ill health by participating in health education and other health promotion activities.
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Answers questions and providing information to patients and families about treatment and care.
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Supervises and co-ordinates the work of enrolled nurses and other health care workers.
Characteristics
- 254411 Nurse Practitioners
- 254412 Registered Nurses (Aged Care)
- 254413 Registered Nurses (Child and Family Health)
- 254414 Registered Nurses (Community Health)
- 254415 Registered Nurses (Critical Care and Emergency)
- 254416 Registered Nurses (Developmental Disability)
- 254417 Registered Nurses (Disability and Rehabilitation)
- 254418 Registered Nurses (Medical)
- 254421 Registered Nurses (Medical Practice)
- 254422 Registered Nurses (Mental Health)
- 254423 Registered Nurses (Perioperative)
- 254424 Registered Nurses (Surgical)
- 254425 Registered Nurses (Paediatrics)
- 254499 Registered Nurses (not covered elsewhere)
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University
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Practical
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Analytical
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Helping
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Light
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Medium
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Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Registered Nurses, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 54% of people employed as Registered Nurses (Critical Care and Emergency) work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 12 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 41 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Registered Nurses (Critical Care and Emergency) work in the Health care and social assistance industry.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Registered Nurses (Critical Care and Emergency) | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 28.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 25.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 21.1 | 20.0 |
SA | 9.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 9.7 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.7 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.1 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.7 | 1.9 |
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Around 42% of Registered Nurses (Critical Care and Emergency) live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Registered Nurses (Critical Care and Emergency) is 38 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 87% of the workforce. This is 39 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Registered Nurses (Critical Care and Emergency) | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 6.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 33.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 25.9 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 20.3 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 7.7 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 4.2 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.6 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 38 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A bachelor degree in nursing and specialist experience is usually needed to work as a Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency). Some workers have a postgraduate qualification.
Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia is required.
Visit
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- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Registered Nurses (Critical Care and Emergency) | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 25.7 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 63.5 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 9.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 0.5 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 1.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 0.1 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Registered Nurses who are caring, empathetic, reliable, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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63%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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63%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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57%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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57%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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57%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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57%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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57%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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57%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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57%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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55%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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55%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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54%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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52%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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52%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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50%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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48%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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46%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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45%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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45%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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43%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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75%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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72%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
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66%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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64%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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64%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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61%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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60%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
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56%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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52%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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52%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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51%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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47%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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46%
Philosophy and theologyPhilosophical systems and religions, including their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and impact on society.
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39%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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36%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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34%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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29%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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28%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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24%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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21%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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70%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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64%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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57%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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57%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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57%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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57%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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57%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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57%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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57%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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55%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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55%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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55%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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55%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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55%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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55%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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52%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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50%
Speed of recognitionQuickly make sense of and organize things you can see like letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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50%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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48%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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41%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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89%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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79%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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72%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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72%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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71%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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71%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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71%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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70%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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69%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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66%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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66%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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65%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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64%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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64%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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61%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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57%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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55%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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55%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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54%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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51%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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95%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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62%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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57%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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43%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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38%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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38%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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95%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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86%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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81%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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81%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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76%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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74%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
Demands
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100%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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99%
Disease or infectionBe exposed to disease or infections.
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99%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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97%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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95%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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94%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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94%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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93%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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91%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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91%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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90%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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88%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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88%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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88%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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85%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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84%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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81%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
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81%
Conflict situationsDeal with conflict or disagreements.
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80%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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80%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 29-1141.03 - Critical Care Nurses.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.