Neuro ICU Nurse Salary Guide

Neuro intensive care unit nurses, also called neurocritical care nurses, often care for a limited number of patients each shift to ensure patients with severe neurological problems receive their undivided attention. They may care for all types of patients with a broad range of neurological issues. These specialists usually work at hospitals large enough to have a neuro ICU, including large academic hospitals. The size of the organizations that employ them, along with other factors, can dictate a better-than-average salary for neuro ICU RNs.

Neuro ICU nurses are registered nurses who specialize in treating patients with all types of life-threatening neurological problems. They monitor patients closely for the slightest changes in their conditions and perform frequent assessments. Neuro ICU patients receive around-the-clock monitoring and care, and may suffer from traumatic brain injuries, strokes, epilepsy, post-operative brain tumors, or various neurological conditions or infections, such as Parkinson’s disease, meningitis, or encephalitis.

Prospective neuro ICU nurses must complete the basic education requirements to become registered nurses. These requirements include graduating from a nursing program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) that results in at least an Associate Degree in Nursing. However, some facilities prefer candidates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. All graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.

A neuro ICU RN's salary can be based on numerous factors. Earning potential rises with additional education and experience. New hires with previous experience should start at a higher base salary than nurses just starting in the neuro ICU field. Annual employee performance reviews should boost base salaries for those nurses who are performing well and certifications can give neuro ICU RNs an additional bump in their paychecks.

Because neuro ICU RNs have advanced critical care knowledge, training, and skills, their base salaries are often higher than nurses in non-critical roles. Nurses who continually seek advanced education in neurophysiology, neuro assessment, basic neuroanatomy, emergency neuro resuscitation, and the use of specialized neurological tools, such as electroencephalography, should see higher base salaries as they obtain additional knowledge and skills.

Certifications can also play a part in how a neuro ICU RN’s salary is based. Neuro ICU nurses must complete Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certifications. Because these certifications are mandatory, they likely won’t impact salary. However, professional certifications a nurse voluntarily pursues should greatly impact base salary. Some facilities require professional certifications but may still pay a premium to those nurses who already have them when hired. Studies have shown that nearly 90% of nurse managers hire a certified nurse over a non-certified nurse if everything else is equal and certified nurses earn significantly more than those who aren’t.

Professional certifications and advanced education that can open pathways to further certifications are the two most-guaranteed ways neuro ICU RNs increase their salaries. You need mandatory state licensure to legally practice nursing, but specialty certifications you volunteer to obtain reflect your achievement beyond basic requirements and therefore, often results in a higher salary. 

You can sit for the Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse exam offered by the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN) after completing at least one year of full-time direct or indirect neuroscience nursing experience, or 2,080 hours, within the past three years. Because neuro ICU RNs may care for patients who’ve suffered a stroke, it may also benefit them professionally and financially to obtain Stroke Certified Registered Nurse certification through the AANN. Sitting for this exam has the same requirements as the CNRN.

Furthering your education can improve your opportunities for employability and advancement and provide better compensation. It can also set you up for an advanced practice role as an acute care nurse practitioner. You must complete a Master of Science in Nursing with an NP focus, a Doctorate Nurse Practitioner program, or a postgraduate certificate if you already possess your MSN or NP qualifications in specialty besides neurocritical care. You can earn the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Adult-Gerontology (ACNPC-AG) through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses or the Adult-Gerontology ACNP Certification (AGACNP-BC) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and give your salary a bump.

Take a look at Vivian's Neuro ICU Nurse Career Guide for more information, including required education, responsibilities, pros and cons and more.