Resources to prepare?

[amzyRN]

I want to transfer to the ED within the next year and possibly later to a trauma center. I am very interested in trauma nursing. They have a training program at my hospital for internal candidates, but I think it's only 4 weeks long. I was wondering how I can prepare myself with the conceptual knowledge over the next several months. I had a classmate get his CEN before he transferred to the ED and I'm wondering if that might be useful. How about books? I want to be as prepared as possible as I know it will be very challenging to make the switch. I've done step-down, tele and med surg. Thanks.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I would suggest that you do some intensive self-study on the Emergency Severity Index. This is the 5-level triage system developed by AHRQ... used in most hospitals today. Although newby ED nurses are not expected to function as triage nurses, this information is fundamental to the basic clinical workflow in an ED. You can also study the ENA Core Curriculum - there are a lot of publications available to help you study. Best of luck on your career switch.