[vanrn]

I am about to take the TNCC course-can anyone give me a feel for how stressful it's going to be?? I've been in ER for nearly 3 years but we're a small hospital and I'm a little worried....I will definately read the book prior to the class but does anyone have any other tips for me??? Thanks,

[traumaRUs]

Know your assessment! Good luck...

[sjt9721]

I agree...know your assessment! Try not to stress so much about it. You'll be too wound up to relax & learn anything! Good luck!

[TraumaInTheSlot]

ABCDEFGHI thats all you have to know..lol (youll understand that after u take the class) try and take it at some teaching trauma center hospital that has a good reputation as a teaching facility.

i just took it today. the test is hard. its a typical nursing test, the question is either:

vague question with a specific answer,
or
specific question with a vague answer.

i passed and didnt read the book. so, if you read the book, you should do just fine. good luck im going to read the book now. lol

[ERNurse752]

Definitely know the trauma nursing process...assessment is major! Read through the book before you go, and know your anatomy and physiology. It was more stressful than ACLS, but not terrible, IMHO.

Good luck!

[Sarah, RNBScN]

TNCC 5th ed.
Do the pretest first to see where you will need to review?

Go over the TN process scenario's in the book. This outlines the step by step process you should take when given a scenario. Take your time in the skill station. If you miss a step, go back and state what you missed and carry on.

I was in a two day course. The first day was review of chapters so make sure you that you have read the book first. Later that day, we did mock skill stations with the instructors demonstrating first and then we would demonstrate. Get involved...this is where you'll learn and feel more confident for the second day.

Day 2 was skills in a.m. review and practice. In the p.m. where 4 stations that you had to demonstrate your stuff. Test was hard and if you don't read the book, I don't think anyone would get over 80%. The questions are MC and always have 1-2 possible answers but you have to choose the right one of course.

Prep for TNCC and have fun. Remember that any course you take, you will come away from learning something.

All the best,
Sarah

[mcmike55]

I agree with Sarah, after you check out the text, do the pre test, and see if they cover areas you are not up on.
The assesment, head to toe, primary, secodary, etc was the thing I focused on. I'm primary OR, but all surgery RN's take TNCC too. I float to ED, so I do get to use assesment skills a little more than you might in OR.
But it is a great course.
Test taking like that, TNCC, ACLS is always stresses me
I don't know why, I always do fine, and besides, after working here for more than a quarter of a century, they're going to have to work with me on this!!

[vanrn]

Thanks all for the encouragement-I did fine. It was a great course, probably the best I've been to and applicable to the work I do every day. The kicker is that, after paying $200 for the course, hotel, etc for two days my hospital denied the 3 of us who went the educational pay we asked for to cover our time. No real reason given...Disheartening for those of us who try to do our best for our units. It's a morale buster to realize we truly are considered a disposable entity, new recruits are always available. P.S. I have taken myself off the R&R committee-why bother?

[VickyRN]

Glad you enjoyed it; it is a great course. I found it more beneficial than ACLS, PALS, or NRP. Sorry about being shortchanged by the hospital, but look upon it this way: you are developing your knowledge base and making yourself a better clinician.

[hal248]

Originally Posted by vanrn

I am about to take the TNCC course-can anyone give me a feel for how stressful it's going to be?? I've been in ER for nearly 3 years but we're a small hospital and I'm a little worried....I will definately read the book prior to the class but does anyone have any other tips for me??? Thanks,

The course is not hard do not stress yourself. The self induced stress is worse than the course.
If you can manage a trauma patient alone you will do fine in the course and on the tests at the end. Remember they are not out there to fail you they are there to help you learn and build your confidence.