

For example, visitors are restricted, and nurses should know how to deter attempts to reach patients and maintain patient privacy. Many facilities employ "lockdowns" on suspected or confirmed gang-related injuries, so trauma nurses should know and follow the organization's workflows surrounding this. Some trauma patients arrive due to gunshot wounds, assault, or battery. Chemical or mechanical restraints may be necessary until the patient is stabilized. The shock from the trauma or substance abuse can make patients confused and agitated - nurses should be aware of their surroundings at all times, and avoid wearing long or dangling accessories such as earrings or lanyards. Trauma patients can also experience behavioral disturbances. Trauma patients commonly arrive bleeding, so personal Protective Equipment should be readily available to include gloves, gowns, masks, goggles, etc. They must treat all patients as though they carry bloodborne pathogens. They often don’t know anything about the patient when they are first brought in to the Emergency Department - only a basic assessment of their injury. Trauma nurses must observe certain precautions to preserve their safety and well-being. Read more for further clarify on trauma nurse certifications. The TCRN certification is valid for four years. Twenty to thirty hours of trauma-specific coursework across the trauma continuum.Two years or 1,000 practice hours in trauma nursing, to include direct and indirect patient care.
Trauma nurse license#

Must possess an active, unrestricted RN license.The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing ( BCEN) offers a Certified Flight Registered Nurse ( CFRN) credential for nursing. Trauma nurses can also become certified in flight nursing-responding to medical emergencies from the air and participating in evacuation/disaster relief. Students learn medical and pharmacological interventions as well as how to recognize medical emergencies in children. The Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course ( ENPC) may also be required depending on the workplace. It provides hands-on learning as well as classroom and online learning. The Trauma Nursing Core Course ( TNCC) is a two-day certification course that prepares nurses for caring for trauma patients. There is a great deal of overlap between emergency and trauma nursing, and some emergency medicine training is required for trauma nurses. These courses are available through the American Heart Association, but most workplaces arrange and cover the cost of required courses.Īdditional certifications may also be required based on the place of employment. Pediatric advanced life support (PALS) may also be required. Since trauma nursing involves caring for patients who can be critically ill, trauma nurses must not only be certified in basic life support (BLS) but advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) as well.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed? After completion of an accredited nursing program, successful completion of the NCLEX-RN is required for licensure. For those pursuing registered nursing, obtaining an associate's degree ( ADN) or bachelor's degree ( BSN) in nursing is required. The trauma specialty houses nurses of all levels – from vocational nursing to nurse practitioners. Those interested in trauma nursing should first pursue a nursing degree through a two or four-year university. What Are the Education Requirements for a Trauma Nurse? Having a healthy support system and an outlet for stress is crucial to combat caregiver burnout. Trauma nurses also need to be able to handle the emotional strain that is involved with caring for trauma patients, as sometimes there are poor outcomes. Communication is crucial in preventing errors during emergencies. Nurses must be able to multitask, often performing life-saving care while reporting to physicians and other members of the medical team. Trauma patients can be critically unstable, so nurses in this specialty need to be able to intervene as rapidly as possible.Įffective communication is also essential in trauma nursing. They must also be able to think and intervene quickly as trauma patients often arrive without easily identifiable diagnoses. Trauma nurses need to be able to function in a high-stress, chaotic environment while maintaining an outwardly calm demeanor.
