How to move into Trauma Nursing

[bitter_betsy, BSN]

Hello all.  I am still a new ER nurse (1 year although my Allnurses account counts years differently than most humans do.). I currently work at a hospital that is not a trauma hospital.  We rarely see traumas and when we do, its never in my area so I don't get the experience.  I saw more traumas as a tech at a different hospital in 3 months than I have in an entire year as an RN.  (I absolutely don't want to work at that hospital as an RN because they were terrible to me as a tech and terrible to their nurses - I just wanted the experience but my sanity couldn't handle working there long term). Most of our ERs around here won't hire me until I get that second year experience.  I am working on TNCC, ENPC and eventually CEN.  I'm in a residency program that will end next month so I still study a lot. I know that I have a lot to learn if this is what I want to do.

I also know that I need experience, but I can't get it where I am.  I like my hospital overall and have great working conditions, but it doesn't offer what I want long term.  I'm not a young nurse, so time is kind of critical (ie I'd rather be closer in 2 years than 10).  Should I try to land a PRN job at a small community hospital in the middle of nowhere that has to stabilize and ship everything out to get that experience?  I'm not trying to be a trauma nurse today, I'm trying to develop a plan to become one.

I live an hour away from 2 large cities with very large hospitals.  I also live 30 min away from 2 incredibly small towns with tiny hospitals (one is HCA and one is not). There are HCA hospitals in both big cities, but my hospital pays better than the HCA hospitals. Pay is not the biggest motivating factor for me although its important.

I appreciate any advice. I know that I have to put in the time to get where I want to be, but pregnancy tests and enemas aren't developing the skills that I want to have longer term. I know there are things I can do today to make myself more valuable tomorrow, but I'm not sure what those things really are in the big scheme of things.

Thank you for the guidance!

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

You could also consider TCRN in addition to CEN. But get TNCC asap, it is foundational for trauma nursing care. TCAR is also an excellent course. I would then look into PRN opportunities at your closest leveled trauma facilities. You may have to work your way up to being in the trauma bays, but some systems (like many HCA facilities) have a dedicated "trauma nurse lead" (TNL) role, they may need PRN assistance.

Good luck! 

[bitter_betsy, BSN]

@Pixie.RN  Thank you so much for the help.  I'm scheduled for TNCC but not allowed to get it through my hospital until I have 1 year  "off orientation" experience - which is November. I'm going to continue trying for the July course, but last time I asked they said no.  We had a staff meeting this week where we were doing ENPC questions and I "won" because I answered the most questions - but only knew them because I've been studying.  I'm hoping I can use this to launch me into the July course.

I assume that TCRN should come after CEN??

Also - is TCAR Trauma Care after resuscitation?  Also, is it an online program? https://tcarprograms.visionem.org/online/

Once I get a couple of these certs under my belt, I will certainly reach out to our HCA hospital.  There is a little one close to my house.  It may be easier to get my foot in the door there and then work my way up at that hospital.

I really appreciate the help!

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Yep, that is TCAR! I have only done it in-person, but I know they were offering it online as well due to COVID. It is an information-only course, no test or certification, but the education is solid. 

I did take my CEN first in 2009, and then the TCRN in 2015 - I was one of the beta testers for TCRN because it was new. I thought TCRN was a little easier because it focuses on trauma, whereas the CEN is very broad. They are optional and you don't have to do either one first. 

I can see why they want you to wait for TNCC, I guess they want you to have a good ER foundation first. But many of my best TNCC students have been newer RNs!