Critical care is provided for patients who are suffering from life-threatening conditions. The doctors who work with these people are often called intensivists. They focus on a range of different issues, so they can serve people who need immediate and life-saving care. Since people who need critical care are suffering from such a wide variety of issues, intensivists must have a thorough understanding of diverse types of medical issues and the devices and medications needed to treat them.

A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has gone through additional training to provide more advanced medical and diagnostic care to patients with all different kinds of illnesses. These medical professionals generally hold at least a master’s degree, so they have a comprehensive basis of medical knowledge to help patients suffering from chronic and acute conditions. They may work in hospitals, intensive care units, hospice centers, and even doctor’s offices, depending on their specialty.