Critical care nursing is a relatively new field in Israel; its development may be studied through the history of intensive care units. It is a 1.5 yearold process, which in nursing is considered as relatively new. During this period care of the critically ill has advanced from the establishment of the first new coronary care units to a position where such units are installed in all general hospitals. Moreover, there are an increasing number of intensive care units treating the critically ill in general, especially patients with pulmonary diseases, a growing number of neonatal critical care units in hospital centres, and a large network of nephrology units for haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Population needs and the tremendous changes in medicine and technology have made new demands on nurses. Quick answers had to be given to many questions. In this particular article, the main trends in intensive care nursing and the training of personnel are discussed.