TNCC please give me some inputs

Published

Hello dear ER nurses, i am a newly registered nurse and i am planning to take up TNCC next week. I am apprehensive about the fact that the people that i will be with next week are in-house nurses in one of the biggest hospitals in my area. I am already intimidated and i haven't worked in a hospital yet. Only reason why i am taking it is because i want to be more marketable or have a higher chance of being hired on. I have been reading the 7th edition of the TNCC provider manual but still have a lot more to cover. I am so scared right now and i don't want to feel like a dummy on the day of the training. Please help me alleviate my anxiety, any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele, ER.

Make sure you know the assessment process and practice saying it OUT LOUD. They will go over most of the book in class, so you can take good notes there, but KNOW THE TRAUMA ASSESSMENT. You will only get about 30 minutes the first day of class to practice it and then tested at the end of the second day. There are assessments in the back of your book along with interventions, study those

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks Kimmie4476. It means a lot because i don't know what to expect. This is my first time and i haven't seen trauma care yet. I haven't even done ACLS yet but i will in june. I didn't want to let this class pass because the next one will be in september and i still have other certifications i need to attend then.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

To call a spade a spade...

You're going to be uncomfortable. You have no experience and yet you'll be in a room with nurses who see this stuff day in and day out. They will be falling back on their experience which you'll be unable to.

As suggested, know the ABCDEFGHI down cold... AMPLE, CIAMPEDS, AVPU, too.

Even if you can't read the book in detail, at least scan through the whole thing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i can already see it coming that's why i am doing my best to know important stuffs. I honestly feel reluctant to go to class at the same time i don't want fear to swallow me just yet. I have been reading my book for 2 weeks now but still feel too unprepared the course is next week. I have been looking at youtube videos too so i can visualize what i need to do during evaluation. Thank You for your feedback. I just want an honest opinion from those who already took it....what have i got myself into? tsk!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

All good advice. One aspect of being a trauma nurse is knowing you'll face the unexpected and the unknown. I don't think you'd feel considerably different if you'd been a nurse for 10 years already. If you want to be a trauma nurse then jump in with both feet and don't look back. Sounds like you prepped a heck of a lot more than I did. Give us an update when it's over!!! Good Luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

Frankly, I wouldn't do it. It's an expensive class with probably minimal return for you and what if you fail? It's not a cake walk and without any experience whatsoever you are going to struggle. While I admire your forward thinking and ambition this class is intended to help you put the pieces together but you don't have the pieces to start with. Same with ACLS.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, Postpartum, Nursery.

You need at least a few months to read the book and digest it, especially not having experience. It can be done, I took it without having acute care experience, but I studied for three months beforehand. The written test was harder for me than the skills. Usually you get two tries on the written test.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, Postpartum, Nursery.

See if you can reschedule. Tell them your situation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I never read my TNCC book. I took the class and it was easy. However, I was a medic in the Army for 8 years and TNCC is JUST like Army medic training. I do think that it could be difficult without experience, though. The assessments can be tricky to know exactly what you're looking for and what to do. I think it's good to take it, but honestly, without any experience, I can't see how beneficial having TNCC is going to be in the grand scheme of things.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion