Trauma nurses, also known as emergency nurses, are nursing professionals who specialize in caring for patients who have suffered from an acute injury or illness and who may be in critical condition. These nurses can be found working in emergency rooms, intensive care units (ICUs), and trauma centers. They deal with trauma cases including motor vehicle accidents, gunshot wounds, head injuries, and injuries from assault.
What Are Some Trauma Nurse Duties?
Performing wound care
Stabilizing patients who are in critical condition
Triaging patients accordingly to acuity
Setting up and administering IVs
Taking patient vitals
Working alongside law enforcement in trauma cases that have resulted from criminal behavior
Taking blood samples
Maintaining close lines of communication with physicians and other staff
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of clinically unstable patients who are deteriorating
Maintaining appropriate medical supplies and equipment
Administering basic life support, CPR, and first aid as needed
Reporting cases of neglect or abuse to child protective services (CPS) if needed
Maintaining rigorous patient care documentation
Providing emotional support to patients and their families or loved ones
Administering emergency medications like those that are to be given during a ‘code blue'
Where Do Trauma Nurses Work?
Trauma nurses work wherever patients with critical conditions are treated. Common workplace environments include:
Hospitals (emergency rooms, ICUs, surgery units, etc.)
Psychiatric hospitals
State prisons
County jails
Private urgent care facilities
How to Become a Trauma Nurse
Trauma nurses must deal with life-and-death situations regularly, and therefore hold a large amount of responsibility. Becoming a trauma nurse will take a mixture of nursing education, clinical experience, and the desire to enter the fast-paced, sometimes stressful world of caring for trauma patients. Many trauma nurses get a sense of fulfillment and pride from caring for these critical patients.
Step 1: Educational Requirements
Like many jobs, those with higher degrees generally have more opportunities for career advancement. Trauma nurses, at the very least, should have earned their associate's degree in nursing (ADN). However, those who have earned their Bachelor's in Nursing Science (BSN) will find themselves more desirable to potential employers. After becoming licensed as an RN, nurses will need to gain some experience in the field of emergency nursing and enroll in a certain number of hours of continuing education in trauma nursing before they are awarded a certification as a Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN).
Do Trauma Nurses Need an RN Degree?
Like other nursing specialties inside of the United States, trauma nurses must first become licensed as registered nurses (RNs) before they're certified in critical care as trauma nurses. Due to the fast-paced and critical nature of this specialty, a BSN or higher may be required or preferred.
For more information on the certification process for Trauma Certified Registered Nurses (TCRN) through the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), visit the BCEN website.
Trauma Nurses Jobs, Salary & Employment
Because it takes a unique set of skills to be a successful trauma nurse, most TCRNs will not have any difficulty finding employment in the field.
Job Description & Information
Essential Skills Needed - Expert knowledge of emergency medicine and critical care concepts across all ages, strong command of triage and time management, ability to remain calm in a high-stress, high-stakes environment, ability to think quickly and critically, team player, strong organizational skills, motivated, exceptional leadership abilities, attention to detail, emotional stability, strong interpersonal and communication abilities, and flexibility
Job Outlook - The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has suggested that employment growth for registered nurses is will rise by 16% between 2014 and 2024. Employment growth for Trauma Certified Registered Nurses (TCRNs) is expected to be in-line with this figure.
What Is the Average Salary of a Trauma Nurse?
As reported by PayScale, trauma nurses earn annual salaries of around $63,575 depending on the specific organization that they work for. Salaries will vary widely and will depend on whether the trauma nurse works as a staff nurse, nurse manager, nurse supervisor, or emergency room director. Other factors which determine how much a TCRN makes is the city or state that they're working in and the degrees and certifications that they hold. The benefits that TCRNs will receive will also depend on their employer. Most TCRNs who are employed full-time will receive comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance coverage along with some paid time off each year.
