What exactly do trauma nurses do?

[floatingribs]

Basically I'm asking if it's in our scope of practice to assist or even learn how to fix a collapsed lung (it's been a goal of mine since i was young and not sure why).

Also generally in trauma centers what does a nurse do when a new patient is brought in? Is all the immediate life saving work done by physicians or PAs or is it a nurses role as well. I keep reading that nurses are meant ti stabilize patients in all aspects but where would the role of a doctor/PA differ from a nurse's in a trauma center?

I'm a nursing student currently but I think my professors will get mad if I ask them what exactly do nurses do and what can't they do but I'm really unsure because the way it's phrased in classes it really comes down to observing the patients vitals, administering meds, and creating plans to get better. And what exactly does that include?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

You might find this article helpful- there are several links to resources at the end of the post. It is also very important to know your scope of practice for your state as well as your facility's policy on what is within your scope and what is beyond it.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

Ever considered being a paramedic?