TNCC Certification

[Nurse3242]

Hi, there. I am getting my TNCC certification early next year and was wondering what the value in it is. What field of nursing will I use the skills that I will learn in the class and what all does that class teach?

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

Trauma nursing.

it teaches the systematic assessment of the 1st assessment and secondary assessment during the trauma resuscitation.

If you are not working in the ED, I don't see how the class will help you. Other than to see how assessments start in the trauma.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

Trauma nursing.

it teaches the systematic assessment of the 1st assessment and secondary assessment during the trauma resuscitation.

If you are not working in the ED, I don't see how the class will help you. Other than to see how assessments start in the trauma.

Actually, the ED is not the only place you would get certification for that.

[KittyLuv]

Is it a requirement of your facility? Do you work in the ED? Will you be floated to the ED? Are you ICU? If not, it seems odd that you would take it.

[Nurse3242]

I am ICU.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

It's not very relevant to ICU practice. I'm assuming you are already ACLS certified because that is usually a basic requirement, so if you're looking for additional development you'd be much better off working toward your CCRN.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I am ICU.

Are you Trauma ICU or Medical ICU?

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

It's not very relevant to ICU practice. I'm assuming you are already ACLS certified because that is usually a basic requirement, so if you're looking for additional development you'd be much better off working toward your CCRN.

It depends on the ICU. It is relevant to Trauma ICU as not every Trauma goes through the ED. Flights often bypass the ED and go straight to the Trauma ICU.

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

Interesting...

I work a level 1 trauma center, all of our trauma transfers still stop by the ED 1st, because the trauma doc is there. Then they go to the unit.

Does the trauma team then meet them at the ICU?

I understand taking TNCC if you are a trauma ICU, but TNCC is starting to fall away. My system encourages ATCN instead, but we can get either one

[Wuzzie]

It depends on the ICU. It is relevant to Trauma ICU as not every Trauma goes through the ED. Flights often bypass the ED and go straight to the Trauma ICU.

I'm very curious to know where this is occurring. I have never heard of or flown a patient straight from a scene to an ICU. Does this ICU implement the American College of Surgeons trauma process? If so, what level are they? Is this a new process hospitals in your area are trying? That must cause some serious chaos with all the staff that is required.

The only situations I have heard using this system are regional burn centers that have incorporated their own trauma bay into their units due to the specialized needs of burn victims.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

I have had to have it to work in ICU at some hospitals. Our supervisors all have to have it, regardless whether they use it or not..

[DesertSky, BSN]

It's not very relevant to ICU practice. I'm assuming you are already ACLS certified because that is usually a basic requirement, so if you're looking for additional development you'd be much better off working toward your CCRN.

As a trauma ICU nurse, I have worked at facilities that use both ER and ICU nurses during the initial triage and trauma resuscitation in ED. When critical drips are used, an ICU nurse is a great resource to the trauma team. It is also important to have TNCC as a trauma ICU nurse because of the assessment and clinical indications discussed during TNCC.