TNCC instructor

Trauma Columnist · Nov 9, 2005

There are many different requirements for a trauma coordinator or ED educator. I work in a level one hospital in the midwest and the requirments for trauma coordinator are:

1. pre-hospital experience

2. ACLS/PALS/ENPC/TNCC/CPR instructor.

3. ability to interact with many different types of practitioners

4. at least a BSN and they prefer an MSN

5. 10-15 years experience.

6. CEN

For our ER educator:

1. MSN preferred

2. 10-15 years of ED experience

3. PALS/ACLS/CPR/TNCC instructor

4. CEN

If you go to another hospital, other things may be required. My vote would be for further education and then when you get to a place you want to stay, get the certifications.

nursemomruns · Nov 9, 2005

Hi Everyone!
My future big goal is to beome an Emergency Departments Trauma Coordinator...or coordinator/educator.
So, I've been talking to some coordinators and asking what was required of them for the job. someone said that becoming a TNCC educator was required.
I have my TNCC cert. I went on the website to look up how to become an instructor- you have to have scored a certain % and be recommended by the instructors. Well, I took it a while ago and I remember doing good, but I don't remember being recommended for anything? In fact, I was checked off by another nurse who almost fell asleep during my assessment, quickly scribbled something down, and told me she had to go some appointment forher weding dress. i doubt she thought about anything but her dress and the basics.:angryfire i am in touch with the main teacher and i think he would recommend me if i asked.
Another issue is that right now I am working as a traveler, on a short contract. TNCC requires mentoring for some time before they allow you to fly solo. Can this happen in any way while a nurse is traveling?? i know to get a position like this i am going to have to go somewhere and build a track record, but for a little while i'd like to travel and see the states. opinions or advice for me?

The TNCC courses and instructor courses are held all over the country. Go to the ENA website and check them out. You will need the experience that another poster mentioned, but you can go ahead and get started on your certifications. Once you get your instructor card, let the states where you are interested in teaching know that you are willing to travel. I teach TNCC and ENPC in three different states - I happen to live where it is only about an hour's drive for me to do that. I have also traveled for ABLS (the burn course) - they will fly you where you need to go for a course.

hollykate · Nov 9, 2005

Thanks.

I emailed my instructor we will see if he recommends me...

I was aware that other things are required beyond just being a TNCC instructor. I'm already a BLS instructor and I am taking the CEN in about a month. and I have a BSN and pre-hospital experience.

And while I do not have 10 years experience, thats what working is doing. I tend to think traveling is great because I now have experience not only in a level one, but also in small ED's, so I have an idea of what a community hospital has to deal with when trying to get a patient ready for the helicopter, as well as how it is to be the receiving nurse. I have also seen intersting regional differences in trauma care.

So, for I'm going to try to get instructor certification- hopefully it is possible to do this while traveling.

Thanks for the information and encouragement...

tam-traumaRN · Nov 9, 2005

:) Hi, I am a trauma coordinator in Texas and wanted to share that many different hospitals have different requirements. I was hired without having any instructor status but had many years experience in a variety of leveled facilities and tons of teaching experience. Now, I have the initials behind my name but not my CEN. It has been such a backburner issue for me but I have scheduled it for the beginning of next year. I am also the education coordinator and was hired with a BSN with the understanding that a Masters was an expectation in my near future (now working on my masters). A lot of these things are negotiable, you just have to push yourself to keep expanding your experience and education background. I always tell my students that "success is a choice and the only person who limits you is you". You can achieve anything if you put your heart into it.

hollykate · Nov 9, 2005

Thanks!

When I learned about the job (our level one trauma coordinator was sort in the shadows for some time, then we got a new one and she got really involved with the nurses), I knew it was a neat way to combine research/nursing/education and trauma junki-ness into a neat package.

I hope I'll be able to achieve it. :)