Trauma level III

PeakRN · Jan 30, 2019

Trauma level doesn't necessarily reflect the quality of medicine that EDs provide. Isolated trauma centers may see large volumes despite potentially being a lower acuity center than an urban market that is oversaturated with trauma centers.

You will also be performing far more hands in care in a 3 or 4 than a 1 or 2. In a large trauma center there are a plethora of Docs, PAs/APRNs, nurses, techs, radiology, lab, and other ancillary services that respond. In a smaller center the ED attending and primary are doing almost everything. The slice of your trauma pie gets smaller the larger center that you go to. My most hands on care was in a level 4, the least was when I worked at a level 1. Due to location we also see far more trauma at my level 4 than back at the level 1.

Also keep in mind that trauma is a very small part of what EDs care for. The vast majority of patients aren't sick, and those that are are predominantly medical.

In a level 1 or 2 center it will likely be years before you are allowed to participate in a trauma, whether due to stepwise training or the good old boys club that tends to exclude those who haven't worked at that hospital for years.

Further keep in mind that if you travel you won't be assigned traumas or other high acuity patients. In most systems you can expect to work a medical pod for your shift. The 'fun' patients are all going to be taken by the regular staff.

braids · Jan 30, 2019

Thank you! This helps a ton!

JKL33 · Jan 30, 2019

6 hours ago, braids said:
I will soon be a graduate nurse and am currently interviewing for jobs. I have always thought I would do great in ED, but the only interview I have landed in ED is a trauma level III center. It's a great hospital and the ED has won several prestigious awards, but I eventually may want to travel and work trauma level I centers. Is a trauma level III center a great starting point, or is it a waste of time?

Hi, braids -

Go for it. I agree with the above assessment. Get in there and learn what you can - which will be a lot. And everything you learn about people and conditions will translate well should you ever decide to pursue bigger centers.

Best wishes ~