TNCC or not

Pepperlady · Feb 3, 2009

Its totally different from PALS and ACLS for sure . I have done a bit of reading on ITLS and to me it seems more similar to what we have here called ATLS, but it is purely for physicians and nurses can audit it only.

I have just received the text for TNCC and it seems much more geared to the emergency nurses understanding and role in trauma cases.

NativeSundance, LPN · Feb 3, 2009

TNCC is strictly for ER nurses and is not open to paramedics, doctors, PA's or any other non nursing personnel. It is a course designed by ENA and your certificate is issued through them. It is much different than ACLS, PALS, NRP, NALS, BLS or any of those types of certifications. ENPC is the (sort of) pediatric version of TNCC.

I enjoyed the course and have found it useful in my every day job. We get plenty of trauma in my ER and the TNCC fundamentals are put into practice constantly. If you work in an ER, TNCC will be valuable to you.

Larry77, RN · Feb 4, 2009

It's been required at least in the first year of employment in every trauma center I've worked in...maybe not nationally but in my area it is for sure. If you are an ED nurse I think it is just as important as ACLS and PALS.

Guest219794 · Feb 4, 2009

It's a good course.

hherrn

S.T.A.C.E.Y, LPN · Feb 4, 2009

The course was required by my dept (and probably every other ER), so I took it. I was genuinely looking forward to the course, and having looked at the text and content that the course was supposed to cover, it looked like it would be totally worth the money. Sadly, my TNCC teacher wasn't the greatest. I really felt like it was big waste of money.

Was it worth it in my experience, no. Could it have been a great course, yes.

GilaRRT · Feb 4, 2009

ITLS was called BTLS several years ago. It is similar to PHTLS. TNCC could be considered the in-hospital equivalent to ITLS/PHTLS. It is actually a good course and like PHTLS, you should have several stations to practice psychomotor activities.

EDIT: It is not totally accurate that this course is strictly for ER RN's. Any provider can take the course as an auditor.

mwboswell · Feb 4, 2009

To clarify, ANYONE can take TNCC -however ONLY RNs can take the skills and written tests and receive CEU's. Anyone can "audit" the class for their "personal enrichment"

mwboswell · Feb 4, 2009

You are absolutely correct. A good/bad instructor can make a big difference in the whole educational experience. I hope you filled out your evaluation form to reflect your feelings on this - the STate and National ENA are "supposed" to review those evaluations to ensure ongoing quality programs.

It's too bad, sometimes an instructor shows up to teach last minute just to get their "time in" so they don't lapse their instructor status. A good instructor is teaching more than the minimum number of required courses, not just two at the last minute so they don't expire.

This might not have been your case, I just thought I'd throw it out there b/c as a TNCC course director, i see this happening often.

allnurses Guide · Feb 4, 2009

I think its a good course, trauma oriented instead of cardiac. Just the review of mechanism of injury and what to look for was worth it. My last one was a bit of a disappointment, but the first time I took it it was a real eye opener.

Peggyfaye · Feb 4, 2009

TNCC is a great review for me every 4 yrs.

It can feel tedious, long days sitting, lectures, study, tests.

The best part are the scenes, created to practice various trauma-types.

It gets the nurses working as a team, step by step, concise methods,

evaluation, treatment, charting.

Can prevent those scenes with too many people in the trauma room, without roles.

Many TNCC instructors have not been that great, just like many nursing school instructors. But I appreciate them taking the time out of their lives to become instructors. Otherwise, TNCC courses locally dry up, next thing ya know you're traveling long distances to take a certification course required in the job.

It's the information that's of real value, in a real trauma.