Tncc

melpn · Aug 18, 2005

Anyone have any advice for a first timer to TNCC? I'm going next week and haven't gotten any material to review. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks :)

What is TNCC? I've never heard of it.

MassED, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2005

Trauma Nursing Core Course, it has been around since around 1985 or so. The program was developed by the Emergency Nurses Association.

allnurses Guide · Aug 19, 2005

It's a great course. There is a book for the class, same as for BLS or ACLS, that you should have been given when you registered. Try calling the folks who are giving the course, you really should have the chance to read the book first.

What helped me was an experienced nurse taking me through the assessment ahead of time, head to toe. Palpate and check everything from crown to facial bones, neck, shoulders, torso, heart sounds, lung sounds, belly, hips, genitalia, thighs, shins and feet. Think about what you would look, listen or palpate for over each area. Think spinal precautions. This is the secondary survey. Obviously, the primary survey is very heavily ABCs, Airway Breathing Circulation. That's why you have to have a current BLS card to take the class. Survey goes through the alphabet quite a ways, memorize each letter.

PRIMARY SURVEY

Airway

Breathing

Circulation

Disability

SECONDARY SURVEY

Expose patient/environment control

Full set of vitals

Give comfort measures

Head to toe assessment

Inspect posterior surface

(pp.313-314, 5th edition TNCC provider manuel)

Inspect the back is the one I invariably leave off at the survey station!

What would you do to intervene at each assessment? Monitor, labs, xray (of what), hot blankets, drugs, splint, etc. When you find the problem, say out loud what you would do or anticipate being ordered. Make sure the "pt" is still breathing every so often.

Good luck! its a fun course.

MassED, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2005

It's a great course. There is a book for the class, same as for BLS or ACLS, that you should have been given when you registered. Try calling the folks who are giving the course, you really should have the chance to read the book first.
What helped me was an experienced nurse taking me through the assessment ahead of time, head to toe. Palpate and check everything from crown to facial bones, neck, shoulders, torso, heart sounds, lung sounds, belly, hips, genitalia, thighs, shins and feet. Think about what you would look, listen or palpate for over each area. Think spinal precautions. This is the secondary survey. Obviously, the primary survey is very heavily ABCs, Airway Breathing Circulation. That's why you have to have a current BLS card to take the class. Survey goes through the alphabet quite a ways, memorize each letter.
PRIMARY SURVEY
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
Disability
SECONDARY SURVEY
Expose patient/environment control
Full set of vitals
Give comfort measures
Head to toe assessment
Inspect posterior surface
(pp.313-314, 5th edition TNCC provider manuel)
Inspect the back is the one I invariably leave off at the survey station!
What would you do to intervene at each assessment? Monitor, labs, xray (of what), hot blankets, drugs, splint, etc. When you find the problem, say out loud what you would do or anticipate being ordered. Make sure the "pt" is still breathing every so often.
Good luck! its a fun course.

Thanks! No books sent to any of us (there are 6 going) and it's next week! Nice prep, huh?? I think it'll be great. My mom was 1 of the first few in the nation to have gone, when it was in its infancy (in TN in the 1980's). She said it was great, but difficult.

allnurses Guide · Aug 20, 2005

You're welcome. Have you tried looking in your hospital library? Or has anyone else in the department got a copy that has already taken the course?

The courses are not as tough as they used to be: the attitude these days is "we want you to pass" rather than "prove to us you are worthy". Been there, done that, glad to see the new classes. :lol2:

MassED, BSN, RN · Aug 27, 2005

You're welcome. Have you tried looking in your hospital library? Or has anyone else in the department got a copy that has already taken the course?
The courses are not as tough as they used to be: the attitude these days is "we want you to pass" rather than "prove to us you are worthy". Been there, done that, glad to see the new classes.

Just got back from TNCC yesterday. Really enjoyed it. Definitely reinforces what is already being done, in a more controlled, systematic approach. That'll hopefully help with avoiding missing things on a trauma pt. I'll let you know next time I work on a trauma.

RNCENCCRNNREMTP · Aug 27, 2005

Thanks! No books sent to any of us (there are 6 going) and it's next week! Nice prep, huh?? I think it'll be great. My mom was 1 of the first few in the nation to have gone, when it was in its infancy (in TN in the 1980's). She said it was great, but difficult.

I suggest you contact the National ENA office to complain. According to TNCC by-laws you MUST be given your book at least 4 weeks prior to start of class. You have a valid reason to challenge even allowing the course to go on at all at this point. No books = No class! (A TNCC Instructor)

Nurse Valium · Sep 1, 2005

I don't want to scare anyone prior to taking the course but I FAILED TNCC yesterday. The course wasn't especially difficult (more than ACLS - but I'm new to trauma), but I was faced with "prove your worth" vs. "you are here to learn".

I skipped "D" on my assessment, started "E", stated that I had missed "D" and was told "I'm sorry." As in "I'm sorry, you can take the class again but I can't give you certification."

Pisser!

RNCENCCRNNREMTP · Sep 1, 2005

I don't want to scare anyone prior to taking the course but I FAILED TNCC yesterday. The course wasn't especially difficult (more than ACLS - but I'm new to trauma), but I was faced with "prove your worth" vs. "you are here to learn".
I skipped "D" on my assessment, started "E", stated that I had missed "D" and was told "I'm sorry." As in "I'm sorry, you can take the class again but I can't give you certification."
Pisser!

In TNCC you are allowed to retest 1 (and only 1) station. IF indeed this is the only thing you missed, causing you to fail the trauma nurse assessment station, then you should have been given 1 more opportunity to complete the practical evaluation.

A TNCC Instructor/Coordinator.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2005

TNCC is such a cute little course and you get paid for it.