If you were to picture and a hospital or clinic with only doctors and patients, you would be missing a vital component in the Medical Care equation.  It is almost impossible to overstate the importance of qualified and professional nurses when it comes to providing comprehensive and attentive care to individuals in need.  Anyone that has spent any amount of time in a hospital can attest to the fact that a patient will spend more time interacting and receiving care from the nursing personnel than from a Physician.  This is especially true for patients about to undergo a surgical procedure or who are dealing with a chronic illness.  These patients appreciate the care and attention to detail provided by qualified nurses.

One of the most important roles in the hospital belongs to the acute care nursing staff.  These nurses are the most well equipped individuals in the hospital when it comes to aiding a patient in an emergency situation.  These nurses not only help with diagnosing and treating patients, they also provide for them during recovery and rehabilitation.  Most nurses that specialize in acute care are employed by hospitals rather than in clinics or private practice offices.  Their work often requires that they be flexible in their schedule so that they can work day, night, and evening shifts. The drastic hours that these nurses are often called upon to work means that they are compensated accordingly.  They may also be required to works when ships or to be on call on a regular basis.

During emergencies situations, these nurses play a crucial role in providing care to patients.  The salary that individuals working in acute care nursing can expect to receive ranges somewhat depending on their experience and level of education.  Nurses that work in the emergency department of a hospital can generally expect to receive between 70 and $80,000 a year.  The salary for nurses in other departments can vary anywhere within this range.  For example, nurses that choose to work in the neonatal unit of a hospital can expect to make about $80,000 a year, whereas the surgery department will pay closer to $85,000 a year.  While the work can be very stressful and demanding, the rewards that these nurses experience go well beyond just their paycheck.

Acute care nursing is not an occupation that is for everyone and it requires an individual with a specialized skill set in order to deal with patients in a surgical setting or who are dealing with chronic pain.  It is, however a highly rewarding field to work in and the pay will increase with experience and time spent working in a particular area.  Nurses in these departments must possess excellent communication skills in order to properly handle all patient needs and doctor's directions. There are a number of schools that can help an individual to prepare for this type of career but is generally necessary to have at least an associate's degree in order to find employment.