NURSING IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS: CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES IN THE CARE OF CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS

Abstract

Caring for critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) requires the nursing team to possess technical, scientific, and emotional skills to deal with complex and highly critical situations. This article aims to analyze the role of nursing in the ICU, highlighting the main challenges faced, strategies for humanized care, and perspectives for improving assistance. This is a descriptive literature review based on national and international scientific publications from the last ten years. The results show that nursing work in the ICU is marked by physical and emotional overload, the need for continuous updating, and the importance of empathetic communication with patients and their families. It is concluded that professional qualification, psychological support, and valuing teamwork are fundamental for excellence in intensive care.