Level 1 Trauma vs Level 2

BecomingNursey · Mar 2, 2015

In an ER nurse and currently work at a trauma 2 hospital. The only reason we are a trauma 2 hospital is because we don't have an opthamalogic surgeon on site 24/7. If we did we would be certified as trauma 1. So with that being said, it all depends on which hospitals you are applying to. Those are perfectly good questions to bring up during your interview. Let the manager know what your interests are and see if their hospital is going to let you see those type of cases :) Good Luck job hunting!

I'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.

Author: Art Williams

FlyingScot, RN · Mar 2, 2015

In an ER nurse and currently work at a trauma 2 hospital. The only reason we are a trauma 2 hospital is because we don't have an opthamalogic surgeon on site 24/7. If we did we would be certified as trauma 1. So with that being said, it all depends on which hospitals you are applying to. Those are perfectly good questions to bring up during your interview. Let the manager know what your interests are and see if their hospital is going to let you see those type of cases :)

In-house, 24/7 coverage by an opthamologist is not a requirement of a Level One Trauma Center. There is likely another reason. That being said, there is not too much of a difference between Level 1 and Level 2. For a complete description you can look at the American College of Surgeons site.

To the OP. If you work at a Level 2 center and you are the only game in town then you will see everything but you might not keep them. If there are multiple trauma centers in your location then the worst cases MAY go to the Level 1 but that is not always what happens. I saw plenty of level one type traumas when I worked in an ED that had no classification whatsoever.

ETA: Trauma Center Levels Explained - American Trauma Society

cheezwizz90 · Mar 2, 2015

I think level 1 is where you will see the most severe trauma. Are burn units also required? My old hospital was a level 1 and had a burn unit.

Proverbs 17:22

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:

but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN · Mar 2, 2015

I hope you will have the problem of deciding which to accept....

BecomingNursey · Mar 2, 2015

In-house, 24/7 coverage by an opthamologist is not a requirement of a Level One Trauma Center. There is likely another reason. That being said, there is not too much of a difference between Level 1 and Level 2. For a complete description you can look at the American College of Surgeons site.
ETA: Trauma Center Levels Explained - American Trauma Society

Thanks so much for that information! I'm going to have to look into that a little more. My director told me that's the only reason we weren't a level 1 so I'm definitely going to have to do some research :)

I'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.

Author: Art Williams

FlyingScot, RN · Mar 2, 2015

Thanks so much for that information! I'm going to have to look into that a little more. My director told me that's the only reason we weren't a level 1 so I'm definitely going to have to do some research :)

I'm pretty sure the following are the things your facility lacks which is why it is a Level 2 (especially the research part). I think many ED directors are so proud of their trauma programs they may inflate their level of service a little. I've heard some places call themselves Level 3 or Level 4 which for the most part means you have an ED and an ambulance bay:

Referral resource for communities in nearby regions.

Provides leadership in prevention, public education to surrounding communities.

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.

Being a Level 2 is something to be proud of. It takes a lot of work.

BecomingNursey · Mar 2, 2015

Even as a level two we get our fair share of craziness :) lol

I'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.

Author: Art Williams

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 2, 2015

Geography. That will change a lot of things. The level 2 I worked at was the only one for a 45 mile radius so we saw everything, but that also meant we shipped everything that was bad as well once it was stable.

caraco · Mar 2, 2015

I just came across your post and wanted to let you know that I am hiring for Level II trauma center in Grand Junction, CO. Not sure if you'd be interested in that at all. It would require 1-2 yrs exp. minimum in an emergency department or ICU. If you'd like to talk further you can reach me at: [email protected]