Dedicated Trauma Nurses in the ED

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I was wondering if anyone else worked in an ED that had dedicated Trauma Nurse Lead positions. These are trauma RNs in the ED who do not have a patient assignment, they float and help other RNs when they don't have a trauma, and are then 100% dedicated to traumas when they arrive. I absolutely love this concept! Our ED is just getting started with it (seeking/interviewing), so I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this. Feel free to PM if you don't want to respond here for whatever reason. :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

That sounds interesting!

If we had enough staff that would be a great idea. :yes:

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Worked at a place like that, but the TN had other "lighter" assignments.... seems some folks would take advantage of the 'float' part when there were no traumas and not do anything.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Yeah, we are super excited about the positions! Hoping to get them all hired and on board in the next few months. The overall number of positions that the ED director has had approved is pretty amazing too, beyond the Trauma Nurse Leads. I've never seen anything like it. Once we're all staffed up, it's going to be awesome.

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Specializes in ED, OR, Oncology.

While in a small rural hospital we wont be getting dedicated trauma nurses any time soon, I am noticing a trend in many places of dramatic increases to staff levels in the ED (may not be very widespread yet, but I am hearing this a lot). Maybe administrators are recognizing that it is key to patient satisfaction. I doubt they are doing it for the improved health outcomes, but I guess whatever makes it happen, its a good thing.

Yeah, we are super excited about the positions! Hoping to get them all hired and on board in the next few months. The overall number of positions that the ED director has had approved is pretty amazing too, beyond the Trauma Nurse Leads. I've never seen anything like it. Once we're all staffed up, it's going to be awesome.
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I interviewed at an HCA facility that does this.

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Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.

I worked in an ER that had this position. When crud hit the fan, they were lifesavers. They floated and helped us all, then when the big guns rolled through the door they took control. It saved a nurse with a full team from having to let those people just sit there while leading a trauma with the MD. It also saved the charge RN from having to leave the floor, which was helpful in such a large ER.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I worked in an ER that had this position. When crud hit the fan, they were lifesavers. They floated and helped us all, then when the big guns rolled through the door they took control. It saved a nurse with a full team from having to let those people just sit there while leading a trauma with the MD. It also saved the charge RN from having to leave the floor, which was helpful in such a large ER.

Did you ever have any issues with the trauma nurse leads being put in a different assignment because someone called out? That is a concern — how can you not fill a hole when you have a nurse who is a float but shouldn't receive an assignment? I guess it goes back to overall staffing in the department, which should improve soon once they find enough people!

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Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.
Did you ever have any issues with the trauma nurse leads being put in a different assignment because someone called out? That is a concern — how can you not fill a hole when you have a nurse who is a float but shouldn't receive an assignment? I guess it goes back to overall staffing in the department, which should improve soon once they find enough people!

I do not remember that ever happening. I must say however, this ER was staffed better than any department, I have ever worked in, in any facility. We also had an ED OBS Unit that we were able to pull a nurse from if we were short staffed. The Director at this ER ran a tight ship, everyone had a position and it was always filled. The only place I ever saw someone get pulled from for short staffing was the OBS Unit. Staffing was rarely short and we always had support from a Charge, Trauma RN, and a Clinical Coordinator on the floor, at all times.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Sounds like a great place to work! Thanks for your input. :)

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Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.

No problem at all! As far as staffing goes, it was great. Otherwise it had some challenges like anywhere else. I moved out of state so I couldn't keep commuting 3 hours and decided to work closer to home.

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Specializes in Emergency.
Yeah, we are super excited about the positions! Hoping to get them all hired and on board in the next few months. The overall number of positions that the ED director has had approved is pretty amazing too, beyond the Trauma Nurse Leads. I've never seen anything like it. Once we're all staffed up, it's going to be awesome.

Can I come work in your hospital?!:woot:

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