I want to work in a level 1 trauma! Maybe in Virginia?

[indorfpf]

I'm graduating from BSN school in December and am trying to narrow down places to apply. So far I am looking at Sentara Norfolk General and University of Virginia since they are easy to visit, magnet rated, and are level 1 trauma centers. Anyone have any experience with either place or can compare the two?

I'm also willing to move anywhere... someone brought up University of Colorado. Or if you have suggestions on how appropriately prepare (a nursing manager recommended to get a copy of Sheehy's emergency nursing). I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it's giving me lots of energy!

THANKS!

[Cvepo]

You'd be better off asking the Virginia Nursing topic. Go to the link that says "U.S." in the top row and find Virginia. That being said, you should consider looking into residency/internship programs for new graduates. Many Trauma 1 centers (especially in popular cities) are very difficult to get into as a new grad.

[indorfpf]

Thanks! I will repost over there. From talking to people it is so surprising to me the different lengths of internship programs. Some are 6 weeks.... some are 6 months! I was also surprised that one of the hospitals only hired 5 new grads in their ER each cycle. Lots to consider!

[AceOfHearts<3]

UVA has a set residency program. I don't know the specifics, but I think it might be twice a year. I applied several years ago, but I had already obtained a position elsewhere when they contacted me for an interview. I applied in the fall (September I think) and was contacted for an interview in late October or early November. With how slow they were I'd imagine the start date for applicants would be after the new year.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

SIX WEEKS? No, no, no. That's less than the typical new grad orientation on a MedSurg or telemetry floor. Any area that is either more specialized than those or regularly has less stable patients should have a new grad program that is AT LEAST six months. For an ED that takes traumas, that is included.

[SouthpawRN]

Experience wise, not much difference between Level 1 and Level 2.

[indorfpf]

Is that so? I figured that having the shiny "Level 1" would look better on a resume down the line. More practically speaking though, since there are a lot less Level 1's, it helped me narrow down the number of places to look at applying to.

[SouthpawRN]

Is that so? I figured that having the shiny "Level 1" would look better on a resume down the line. More practically speaking though, since there are a lot less Level 1's, it helped me narrow down the number of places to look at applying to.

I did not say anything about what it looks like on a resume, I only mentioned experience you will gain. I have no idea what employers look for as far as that goes. The Level 2 trauma center I work at servers something like 85,000 square miles, and is the only trauma center serving that area. It also has a full pediatric ER. Many level II trauma centers are just lacking a few specifics that keep them from being classed as level I centers.

I can see that the types of patients you get in a very dense urban area that have maybe 50, 100 or more local hospitals may be more significantly different between levels.

Trauma Center Levels

Trauma categories vary from state to state. Outlined below are common criteria for Trauma Centers verified by the ACS and also designated by states and municipalities. Facilities are designated/verified as Adult and/or Pediatric Trauma Centers. It is not uncommon for facilities to have different designations for each group (ie. a Trauma Center may be a Level I Adult facility and also a Level II Pediatric Facility).

Level I

Level I Trauma Center is a comprehensive regional resource that is a tertiary care facility central to the trauma system. A Level I Trauma Center is capable of providing total care for every aspect of injury – from prevention through rehabilitation.

Elements of Level I Trauma Centers Include:

24-hour in-house coverage by general surgeons, and prompt availability of care in specialties such as orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, internal medicine, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial, pediatric and critical care.

Referral resource for communities in nearby regions.

Provides leadership in prevention, public education to surrounding communities.

Provides continuing education of the trauma team members.

Incorporates a comprehensive quality assessment program.

Operates an organized teaching and research effort to help direct new innovations in trauma care.

Program for substance abuse screening and patient intervention.

Meets minimum requirement for annual volume of severely injured patients.

Level II

A Level II Trauma Center is able to initiate definitive care for all injured patients.

Elements of Level II Trauma Centers Include:

24-hour immediate coverage by general surgeons, as well as coverage by the specialties of orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology and critical care.

Tertiary care needs such as cardiac surgery, hemodialysis and microvascular surgery may be referred to a Level I Trauma Center.

Provides trauma prevention and continuing education programs for staff.

Incorporates a comprehensive quality assessment program.

Level III

A Level III Trauma Center has demonstrated an ability to provide prompt assessment, resuscitation, surgery, intensive care and stabilization of injured patients and emergency operations.

Elements of Level III Trauma Centers Include:

24-hour immediate coverage by emergency medicine physicians and the prompt availability of general surgeons and anesthesiologists.

Incorporates a comprehensive quality assessment program

Has developed transfer agreements for patients requiring more comprehensive care at a Level I or Level II Trauma Center.

Provides back-up care for rural and community hospitals.

Offers continued education of the nursing and allied health personnel or the trauma team.

Involved with prevention efforts and must have an active outreach program for its referring communities.

Level IV

A Level IV Trauma Center has demonstrated an ability to provide advanced trauma life support (ATLS) prior to transfer of patients to a higher level trauma center. It provides evaluation, stabilization, and diagnostic capabilities for injured patients.

Elements of Level IV Trauma Centers Include:

Basic emergency department facilities to implement ATLS protocols and 24-hour laboratory coverage. Available trauma nurse(s) and physicians available upon patient arrival.

May provide surgery and critical-care services if available.

Has developed transfer agreements for patients requiring more comprehensive care at a Level I or Level II Trauma Center.

Incorporates a comprehensive quality assessment program

Involved with prevention efforts and must have an active outreach program for its referring communities.

Level V

A Level V Trauma Center provides initial evaluation, stabilization and diagnostic capabilities and prepares patients for transfer to higher levels of care.

Elements of Level V Trauma Centers Include:

Basic emergency department facilities to implement ATLS protocols

Available trauma nurse(s) and physicians available upon patient arrival.

After-hours activation protocols if facility is not open 24-hours a day.

May provide surgery and critical-care services if available.

Has developed transfer agreements for patients requiring more comprehensive care at a Level I though III Trauma Centers.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Indianapolis has two Level I Trauma Centers, reasonable cost of living, not much in the way of traffic and plenty of sports/ culture/ music and advance degree opportunities to keep you busy.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

University of Colorado Hospital isn't a level 1 trauma either. Only Swedish, DG and St A's are, just fyi