Steps in becoming a trauma nurse? Can I start at a community college?

Dranger · Jun 30, 2015

I'm a senior in High-School and really super interested in becoming a Trauma nurse, but confused on the steps. I want to get my BSN, but have no universities close. Could I start getting my BSN at my community college and transfer to an online university? And what classes are HIGHLY recommend to take? And what comes after getting my BSN? HELP!

An ASN or ADN can be a trauma nurse, you don't need a BSN. It would be preferential to get the BSN eventually though.

xxdiscoxxheaven · Jun 30, 2015

You can get an ADN at your CC then a BSN online. Depending on your area, you may be able to become a trauma RN with your ADN

FlyingScot, RN · Jun 30, 2015

And just to clarify...nurses are "generalists" at first. You learn about all ages and disease processes. You can then get certifications in areas that interests you. I'm not really sure there is a "trauma nurse" designation. You can work in an ER in a trauma center but you will also work with other kinds of patients too and you won't always get to take care of the traumas. You can work in a trauma ICU but will likely take care of other types of patents as well. You could be a flight nurse but again it's not all trauma and much of it is pretty mundane. What do you think a "trauma nurse" is/does?

guest769224 · Jun 30, 2015

To be a trauma nurse, you need to be an ER nurse. They are usually who deal the most with trauma patients fresh off the scene.

Trauma ICU nurses deal with the aftermath and healing. (That's where I work)

Flight nurses pick up trauma patients and transport them, usually high stress.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2015

I'm a trauma nurse in ICU in a level 1 trauma center, in adult ICU. Up until last month I had my associates degree from a tech school. I finished my BSN with a local university, but I have colleagues who did theirs through online programs.

Job prospects with an ADN are going to be more limited. I can't see on my phone if you specify your location, but some parts of the country it's difficult to find ANY RN position w/ less than a BSN (like So. CA) Other areas are more willing to hire ADNs (like the Dakotas.) Where I live, BSNs are strongly preferred in hospitals, but I was fortunate in that I had previous ICU experience and made a good impression in my interview. I was also working on my BSN already when hired.

Nursing education is "generalist," meaning that you are taught what you need to know to pass the licensure exam and get started in most settings. It's mostly acute care focused, but they also teach a little about long term care, community health, outpatient care, critical care, OR, ED, etc. At least my program did. When you start a nursing job, you will learn more specifics about the populations you are caring for.

Near the end of the program, nursing students typically do what is called an internship/preceptorship/capstone/etc--different schools have their own titles. The student is paired with an RN preceptor and works directly with him or her, vs. in regular clinicals where a bunch of students work under their nursing instructor for the day. If you are interested in trauma nursing, when thus time comes, you should try to get your final internship in one of the applicable units in a trauma hospital--the ED, ICU (some hospitals have trauma ICUs, or else the surgical ICU would be the one to take trauma patients. Neuro ICUs would have head and spinal cord trauma patients. Pediatric trauma pts are generally sent to the PICU. Medical ICUs focus more on illness vs. injury.) or trauma floor or stepdown--too acute for the floor, but not in need of the ICU.

Some hospitals also offer paid summer internships. For these you have to apply; the school doesn't set them up. They are quite competitive, but can be an incredible learning experience and look great on resumes! If this is available in your area--or if you're able to travel--you should apply with one of those above units I'm mind.

All that said, this is advice I give to everyone considering nursing for a particular specialty. There is no nursing shortage, and competition for jobs can be tough. I'd hate for you to go through all the stress of nursing school and then be disappointed if your job prospects don't include trauma. If trauma is your ultimate goal but would be content working with other types of patients though, nursing can be a great career! There are so many different types of nursing, opportunities for advancement, options for part time work if you have a family down the line and want to spend more time with them. I even used to work with someone who had two part time jobs--one in ICU, and one in LTC (nursing home.) He liked variety! :)